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Gianfranco Pasquino
This course is part of the IPSAMOOC project, a joint venture Federica Weblearning - IPSA, the International Political Science Association
If you've ever asked the question, "What is Democracy?" this course is for you. This comparative study of politics covers a wide variety of topics and themes. The course begins with a definition of the comparative method and a special focus on concept formation and historical and institutional approaches. It highlights the way in which democratic regimes are governed, and the way electoral rules impact not only on parties and the party system but also on citizens.
Read more
This course is part of the IPSAMOOC project, a joint venture Federica Weblearning - IPSA, the International Political Science Association
If you've ever asked the question, "What is Democracy?" this course is for you. This comparative study of politics covers a wide variety of topics and themes. The course begins with a definition of the comparative method and a special focus on concept formation and historical and institutional approaches. It highlights the way in which democratic regimes are governed, and the way electoral rules impact not only on parties and the party system but also on citizens.
Read more
This course is part of the IPSAMOOC project, a joint venture Federica Weblearning - IPSA, the International Political Science Association
If you've ever asked the question, "What is Democracy?" this course is for you. This comparative study of politics covers a wide variety of topics and themes. The course begins with a definition of the comparative method and a special focus on concept formation and historical and institutional approaches. It highlights the way in which democratic regimes are governed, and the way electoral rules impact not only on parties and the party system but also on citizens.
We will study the different forms of government, their structure and role, leading to an understanding of the dynamics of governing coalitions and their rotation in office. Together we will evaluate the assets and liabilities of the different institutional structures and approaches.
The last part of the course will focus on the effectiveness of different democratic regimes and evaluate proposals for change. The emerging overall picture will show the existence of several institutional solutions to the challenges and the problems of contemporary democracies.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/7talhh/comparative
What's inside
Learning objectives
- The comparative method
- An understanding of diverse political regimes
- The inner workings of democratic government, election systems, and coalitions
- How to reflect critically on the challenges facing democracies today
- Proposed solutions for democratic challenges
- The comparative method
- An understanding of diverse political regimes
- The inner workings of democratic government, election systems, and coalitions
- How to reflect critically on the challenges facing democracies today
- Proposed solutions for democratic challenges
Good to know
Good to know
Know what's good ,
what to watch for , and
possible dealbreakers
Provides a firm grasp of the concept of democracy, which is essential for political science and other related fields
Takes a comparative approach, which allows learners to understand different political systems and their implications
Examines the complexities of democratic governance, including the role of elections, parties, and coalitions
Facilitates critical reflection on the challenges facing contemporary democracies
Introduces learners to diverse perspectives on democratic theory and practice
In-depth analysis of different forms of government and their impact on political systems
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Reviews summary
Intro political systems
Learners say this introductory course on comparative political systems is well structured and provides valuable information. They appreciate the analysis of democratic and authoritarian systems, but some wish there was more focus on countries outside of Europe.
Excellent description of political systems globally.
"Excellent course, great description of political system all around the globe."
Condensed lectures and articles without prior knowledge needed.
"With no prior political education, I was struck by the complexity of the subject and pleased to see it so well condensed into a series of lectures and articles."
Professor focuses mostly on European countries.
"Good examples while teaching but little more elaboration to be done especially with the other countries systems. Prof is mostly focusing on the European countries."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Comparative Political Systems with these
activities:
Review Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Democracy
Show steps
Revisit the historical and philosophical underpinnings of democracy to strengthen your understanding of its core principles.
Show steps
-
Read key texts on the history and philosophy of democracy.
-
Examine the evolution of democratic ideas over time.
-
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of different democratic theories.
Explore Online Resources on Democratic Governance
Show steps
Use online resources to supplement your understanding of democratic governance.
Show steps
-
Identify reputable websites and organizations that provide information on democratic governance.
-
Review articles, reports, and videos on various aspects of democratic governance.
-
Participate in online discussions and forums to engage with experts and peers.
Review Comparative Political Systems
Show steps
Revisit the concepts of comparative political systems to strengthen your knowledge base.
Browse courses on
Comparative Politics
Show steps
-
Identify the key concepts of comparative politics.
-
Examine different types of political systems and their characteristics.
-
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each system.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Read 'Comparative Politics Today' by Mark Kesselman
Show steps
Gain insights from a comprehensive guide to comparative politics to deepen your understanding of diverse political systems.
View
Introduction to Comparative Politics: Political...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read through the book carefully.
-
Take notes and highlight key concepts.
-
Complete the exercises and discussion questions provided in the book.
Analyze Electoral Data
Show steps
Practice analyzing electoral data to understand voting patterns and election outcomes.
Browse courses on
Data Analysis
Show steps
-
Collect electoral data from reliable sources.
-
Use statistical software to analyze the data.
-
Identify trends and patterns in the data.
-
Draw conclusions about the factors that influence voting behavior.
Design a Comparative Electoral System
Show steps
Create a hypothetical electoral system that incorporates the strengths of different systems studied in the course.
Show steps
-
Research various electoral systems.
-
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each system.
-
Design a new electoral system that addresses the weaknesses of existing systems.
-
Write a report explaining the rationale behind your design.
Discuss Case Studies on Democratic Challenges
Show steps
Engage in peer discussions to analyze real-world examples of democratic challenges.
Show steps
-
Identify case studies that illustrate different democratic challenges.
-
Analyze the causes and consequences of these challenges.
-
Develop recommendations for addressing the challenges.
-
Present and discuss your findings with peers.
Contribute to Open Source Projects on Democratic Innovations
Show steps
Collaborate with open source communities to develop and improve tools and resources for democratic governance.
Browse courses on
Democracy
Show steps
-
Identify open source projects that focus on democratic innovations.
-
Contribute to the development of these projects.
-
Share your knowledge and expertise with the open source community.
Review Historical and Philosophical Foundations of Democracy
Show steps
Revisit the historical and philosophical underpinnings of democracy to strengthen your understanding of its core principles.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read key texts on the history and philosophy of democracy.
- Examine the evolution of democratic ideas over time.
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of different democratic theories.
Explore Online Resources on Democratic Governance
Show steps
Use online resources to supplement your understanding of democratic governance.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify reputable websites and organizations that provide information on democratic governance.
- Review articles, reports, and videos on various aspects of democratic governance.
- Participate in online discussions and forums to engage with experts and peers.
Review Comparative Political Systems
Show steps
Revisit the concepts of comparative political systems to strengthen your knowledge base.
Browse courses on
Comparative Politics
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify the key concepts of comparative politics.
- Examine different types of political systems and their characteristics.
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of each system.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Read 'Comparative Politics Today' by Mark Kesselman
Show steps
Gain insights from a comprehensive guide to comparative politics to deepen your understanding of diverse political systems.
View
Introduction to Comparative Politics: Political...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read through the book carefully.
- Take notes and highlight key concepts.
- Complete the exercises and discussion questions provided in the book.
Analyze Electoral Data
Show steps
Practice analyzing electoral data to understand voting patterns and election outcomes.
Browse courses on
Data Analysis
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Collect electoral data from reliable sources.
- Use statistical software to analyze the data.
- Identify trends and patterns in the data.
- Draw conclusions about the factors that influence voting behavior.
Design a Comparative Electoral System
Show steps
Create a hypothetical electoral system that incorporates the strengths of different systems studied in the course.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research various electoral systems.
- Identify the strengths and weaknesses of each system.
- Design a new electoral system that addresses the weaknesses of existing systems.
- Write a report explaining the rationale behind your design.
Discuss Case Studies on Democratic Challenges
Show steps
Engage in peer discussions to analyze real-world examples of democratic challenges.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify case studies that illustrate different democratic challenges.
- Analyze the causes and consequences of these challenges.
- Develop recommendations for addressing the challenges.
- Present and discuss your findings with peers.
Contribute to Open Source Projects on Democratic Innovations
Show steps
Collaborate with open source communities to develop and improve tools and resources for democratic governance.
Browse courses on
Democracy
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify open source projects that focus on democratic innovations.
- Contribute to the development of these projects.
- Share your knowledge and expertise with the open source community.
Career center
Learners who complete Comparative Political Systems will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Political Analyst
Political Analyst
Political Analysts study and monitor political systems and processes. They analyze political trends, public opinion, and government policies. This course would help build a foundation for a Political Analyst by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, their structure and role, and the dynamics of governing coalitions and their rotation in office. This knowledge would be invaluable in helping you to analyze and understand political systems and processes.
Political Consultant
Political Consultant
Political Consultants help candidates and political organizations develop and implement campaign strategies. They conduct research, develop messaging, and manage public relations. This course would be helpful for Political Consultants by providing you with a deep understanding of how political systems work. You will learn about the comparative method, different forms of government, and the challenges facing democracies today. This knowledge would help you to better understand the political landscape and develop effective campaign strategies.
Public Policy Analyst
Public Policy Analyst
Public Policy Analysts research and analyze public policy issues. They develop recommendations for new policies or changes to existing policies. This course would be helpful for Public Policy Analysts by providing you with a deep understanding of how political systems work. You will learn about the comparative method, different forms of government, and the effectiveness of different democratic regimes. This knowledge would help you to better understand the policymaking process and develop effective policy recommendations.
Journalist
Journalist
Journalists report on and analyze news and current events. They gather information from a variety of sources, including interviews, research, and observations. This course would be helpful for Journalists by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, the challenges facing democracies today, and proposed solutions for democratic challenges. This knowledge would help you to better understand the political landscape and report on news and current events in a more informed way.
Lawyer
Lawyer
Lawyers advise clients on legal issues and represent them in court. They study and interpret laws and regulations, and they develop legal strategies to help their clients achieve their goals. This course would be helpful for Lawyers by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about the comparative method, different forms of government, and the challenges facing democracies today. This knowledge would help you to better understand the legal framework in which you work and to develop effective legal strategies for your clients.
Teacher
Teacher
Teachers plan, prepare, and deliver lessons to students in a variety of settings. They assess student learning, provide feedback, and maintain a positive learning environment. This course would be helpful for Teachers by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, the challenges facing democracies today, and proposed solutions for democratic challenges. This knowledge would help you to better understand the political landscape and to teach your students about the importance of civic engagement.
Nonprofit Executive Director
Nonprofit Executive Director
Nonprofit Executive Directors oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. They develop and implement strategic plans, manage staff, and raise funds. This course would be helpful for Nonprofit Executive Directors by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, the challenges facing democracies today, and proposed solutions for democratic challenges. This knowledge would help you to better understand the political landscape and to develop effective strategies for your organization.
Government Relations Specialist
Government Relations Specialist
Government Relations Specialists represent organizations before government agencies and elected officials. They monitor legislation, develop strategies to influence public policy, and build relationships with key decision-makers. This course would be helpful for Government Relations Specialists by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, the challenges facing democracies today, and proposed solutions for democratic challenges. This knowledge would help you to better understand the political landscape and to develop effective strategies for your organization.
International Relations Specialist
International Relations Specialist
International Relations Specialists analyze and advise on foreign policy issues. They develop and implement strategies to promote and protect national interests abroad. This course would be helpful for International Relations Specialists by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, the challenges facing democracies today, and proposed solutions for democratic challenges. This knowledge would help you to better understand the international political landscape and to develop effective strategies for your organization.
Political Scientist
Political Scientist
Political Scientists study and analyze political systems and processes. They research and write about a variety of topics, including political institutions, public opinion, and political behavior. This course would be helpful for Political Scientists by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, the challenges facing democracies today, and proposed solutions for democratic challenges. This knowledge would help you to develop a strong foundation for your research and writing.
Historian
Historian
Historians research and write about the past. They use primary and secondary sources to investigate historical events and trends. This course would be helpful for Historians by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, the challenges facing democracies today, and proposed solutions for democratic challenges. This knowledge would help you to better understand the historical context of your research and writing.
Sociologist
Sociologist
Sociologists study and analyze society and social behavior. They research and write about a variety of topics, including social inequality, social institutions, and social change. This course would be helpful for Sociologists by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, the challenges facing democracies today, and proposed solutions for democratic challenges. This knowledge would help you to better understand the social context of your research and writing.
Anthropologist
Anthropologist
Anthropologists study and analyze human societies and cultures. They research and write about a variety of topics, including cultural diversity, social organization, and political systems. This course would be helpful for Anthropologists by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, the challenges facing democracies today, and proposed solutions for democratic challenges. This knowledge would help you to better understand the cultural and political context of your research and writing.
Economist
Economist
Economists study and analyze the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. They develop and test theories to explain economic phenomena and make predictions about future economic trends. This course may be helpful for Economists by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, the challenges facing democracies today, and proposed solutions for democratic challenges. This knowledge may help you to better understand the economic context of your research and writing.
Geographer
Geographer
Geographers study and analyze the Earth's physical and human landscapes. They research and write about a variety of topics, including climate change, land use, and population distribution. This course may be helpful for Geographers by providing you with a deep understanding of comparative political systems. You will learn about different forms of government, the challenges facing democracies today, and proposed solutions for democratic challenges. This knowledge may help you to better understand the political context of your research and writing.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/7talhh/comparative
Reading list
We've selected six books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Comparative Political Systems.
This influential work explores the conceptual and methodological foundations of comparative politics, emphasizing the importance of concept formation and the comparative method. It is essential reading for students seeking a deeper understanding of the discipline.
This comprehensive handbook features essays by leading scholars on a wide range of topics in comparative politics, including political institutions, political behavior, and political economy. It serves as an invaluable reference tool for students and researchers.
Save
Offers a thought-provoking perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing democracies in the 21st century. Sharansky argues for the need to strengthen democratic institutions and values in order to preserve freedom and progress.
Provides a comprehensive analysis of electoral systems, examining their impact on political representation, party systems, and voter behavior. It valuable resource for understanding the role of electoral rules in shaping democratic governance.
Examines the relationship between political institutions and economic growth, arguing that certain institutional arrangements are more conducive to economic prosperity and stability.
Save
This introductory textbook provides a clear and concise overview of comparative politics, covering a wide range of political systems and institutions. It valuable resource for students seeking a foundation in the discipline.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/7talhh/comparative
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Effort
4 to 6 hours per week for 6 weeks
Level
Introductory
Via
edX
Institution
Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II
Instructor
Gianfranco Pasquino
Language
English
Transcript
English
This course belongs to a
collection
called
Introduction to Political Science IPSAMOOC. It's comprised of five courses:
- Understanding Political Concepts
- Democracy and Autocracy: Theories and Empirical Findings
- Comparative Research Designs and Methods
- Comparative Political Systems (viewing)
- Contemporary Issues in World Politics
Good to know
Provides a firm grasp of the concept of democracy, which is essential for political science and other related fields
Takes a comparative approach, which allows learners to understand different political systems and their implications
Examines the complexities of democratic governance, including the role of elections, parties, and coalitions
Facilitates critical reflection on the challenges facing contemporary democracies
Introduces learners to diverse perspectives on democratic theory and practice
In-depth analysis of different forms of government and their impact on political systems
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