EVS801 Comparison of Political Systems

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2018
Extent and Intensity
0/0. 8 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Vít Hloušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
doc. PhDr. Markéta Pitrová, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Olga Cídlová, DiS.
Supplier department: Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 25 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The aim of the course EVS801 Comparison of Political Systems is to familiarise students with the concept of system in Political Science and to emphasize theoretical division of politics (policy, polity , politics) and systemic connections between institutions, processes and outcomes. The course is also focused on classification and typologies of modern democratic systems and their distinctive systemic attributes (especially modifications in terms of legislative and executive bodies). Attention will be also paid to the subject of political parties, party systems and effects of electoral systems.
At the end of the course students will be able to understands the central concepts and analytical tools of comparative politics and to use this knowledge to analyze political and party systems of the EU member states.
Syllabus
  • 1. Comparative method in Political Science
  • 2. The concept of system in Political Science
  • 3. Typologies of democratic political systems
  • 4. The legislative and executive branches in democratic process
  • 5. Competitive and consensual conceptions of democracy
  • 6. Mediation of interests in democracy
  • 7. Theory of political parties I
  • 8. Theory of political parties II
  • 9. Theory of political parties III
  • 10. Systems of political parties
  • 11. Electoral systems and elections I
  • 12. Electoral systems and elections II
  • 13. Electoral systems and elections III
Literature
  • HLOUŠEK, Vít and Lubomír KOPEČEK. Demokracie. Teorie, modely, osobnosti, podmínky, nepřátelé a perspektivy demokracie (Democracy. Theories, Models, Individualities, Conditions, Enemies and Perspectives of Democracy). 1st ed. Brno: Mezinárodní politologický ústav Masarykovy univerzity, 2003, 379 pp. Sborníky, svazek č.16. ISBN 80-210-3195-6. info
  • HAGUE, Rod and Martin HARROP. Comparative government and politics : an introduction. 5th ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2001, xv, 316. ISBN 0333929721. info
  • ŘÍCHOVÁ, Blanka. Přehled moderních politologických teorií. Vyd. 1. Praha: Portál, 2000, 303 s. ISBN 80-7178-461-3. info
  • FIALA, Petr and Maxmilián STRMISKA. Teorie politických stran (Theory of Political Parties). Brno: Barrister&Principal, 1998, 260 pp. Monografie, 1. ISBN 80-85947-31-5. info
  • SARTORI, Giovanni. Comparative constitutional engineering : an inquiry into structures, incentives and outcomes. 2. ed. Basingstoke: MacMillan Press, 1997, xii, 217 s. ISBN 0-333-67508-8. info
Assessment methods
The course is completed by a written exam. Overall assessment is composed of the final written examination (70 points) and two seminary works (30 points).
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: in blocks.
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2007, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
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