02492 - Comparative Politics

Learning outcomes

The course analyzes the institutions, the party system and the parties of the European political systems, with particular reference to consolidated democracies. At the end of the course the student: - knows the different modalities of the democratization process in Europe; - distinguishes the different paths of party formation and party systems in Europe; - demonstrates detailed knowledge of the major parties in European countries by the end of the Second World War to date; - identifies the differences and similarities between European countries as regards the democratization process and the institutional settings, and the party systems.

Course contents

The course is dedicated to the analysis of the institutions and party systems of Western European countries from the post-war period to the present time. In particular, the course deals with: the process of state and nation building in Western Europe; the different models of democracy; the structuring of party systems; the salient fractures; the electoral behavior; the alternation of governments and related policies; the organizational and ideological evolution of the major European parties. After a first general part on the various topics, the course will address in detail all the political systems of the Western European countries. Particular attention will be devoted to the changes that have taken place in European parties and party systems since the 1980s. this part will deal with the capacity of "resistance" of parties in the face of their the crisis of legitimacy and the mounting fo populism.

Readings/Bibliography

For non attening students

1) S. Rokkan, Stato, nazione e democrazia in Europa, Bologna, il Mulino, 2002, only pages 323-343, 373-382, 403-421.

2) F. Raniolo, I partiti politici, Roma-Bari, 2013.

3) P . Ignazi, Forza senza legittimità, Roma-Bari, Laterza, 2012.

4) S. Vassallo (a cura di) , Sistemi politici Comparati, Bologna, Il Mulino 2016, only ch. 1-4, 6-10, 14.

For attending students:

Same texts but the second part is more developed and needs the notes from the class. 

Students themselves will decide if they consider themselves attending or not. 

Teaching methods

Although part of the course will be carried out on distance, the class will follow the standard model of lecture type. This should not prevent  students from intervening and asking questions: he/she can do so by activating the audio or using the chat. The experience of last year shows that the interaction between teacher and student has been quite good; indeed it has almost improved compared to previous years. I remind you, once again, that questions, comments, observations are welcome at any time during class. Interrupting the teacher is not a crime! I therefore urge you to do it without any problem or concern because this allows me to "explain" you the contents hopefully better . Finally, there are no wrong questions - only the answers can be wrong.

Assessment methods

Written exams with 4/5 questions . 1.30h maximum.

A different type of exam might be envisaged on the basis the sanitary conditions. 

Teaching tools

Some sildes

Office hours

See the website of Piero Ignazi