The aim of this subject course is to study, from a comparative standpoint, the main features of different political systems selected as cases of special interest (the United Kingdom, the USA, France and Germany). The idea of this is to describe the practical functioning of structures, players and dynamics already dealt with on other subject courses, as well as demonstrating the usefulness of the comparative method in the study of political science. Comparative analysis of complex political systems.

C1. Understanding the main theories and methodological aspects in the comparative study of political systems.

C2. Identifying features and classification of contemporary political systems on the basis of their main organisational and functional features.

C3. Distinguishing the specific features of a series of specific political systems according to their relevance.

C4. Developing the abilities of critical reasoning and argument.

Also, the following transversal competencies of the 4th year of the degree in Political Science and Public Administration will be worked on and assessed:

C5. Understanding the fundamentals of comparative analysis as applied to the study of political systems and transformation of the state and public administration.

C6. Understanding the impact of ideologies, interest groups and political and social movements on the political process, in order to design tools and plans for mediation and to manage conflicting interests in the domestic and international spheres.

1. Comparative politics and the comparative method

2.The political system as a result of the historical process.

3.Parliamentarian, presidential and semi-presidential form of governments.

4.Territorial organization from a comparative approach.

5.Political cultures and subcultures.

6.Party systems from a comparative approach.

7.Contemporary multidimensional and empiric comparison.

We will combine lectures with activities and different types of exercises (readings, debates, video analysis, presentations etc.). Lectures will entail 5.3 credits whereas exercise will involve 0.7 credits.

• Final Assessment System
• Tools and qualification percentages:
  • Realization of Practical Work (exercises, cases or problems) (%): 100

Continuous evaluation:

1.Exam (%50)

2.Activities and different types of exercises (%50)



In accordance with the article 8.3 of Students Evaluation Regulation, the students who would like to opt out of the continuous evaluation and take the final exam should write to the responsible professor within the first nine weeks since the beginning of the term.



Final evaluation will consist of:



1.Exam (%50)

2.Exercises (test and/or practices) (%50).



In accordance with the article 12.2 of Students Evaluation Regulation, students can opt out of sitting the exam a month before the end of the course. In such a case, students will submit a written resignation to the responsible professor

Extraordinary evaluation will consist of:



1.Exam (%50)

2.Exercises (test and/or practices) (%50).

ALMOND, Gabriel y POWELL, Bingham. 2008. Comparative Politics Today. A World View. 9th Edition. New York, Longman. 321 COM

LANDMAN Todd. 2011. Política Comparada. Una introducción a su objeto y métodos de investigación. Madrid, Alianza.

LIJPAHRT, Arend. 2012. Modelos de Democracia. Barcelona: Ariel.

PASQUINO, Gianfranco. 2004. Sistemas Políticos Comparados: Francia, Alemania, Gran Bretaña, Italia y Estados Unidos. Buenos Aires, Bononia University Press. (321PAS)

SARTORI, Giovanni y MORLINO, Leonardo (eds.). 1994. La comparación en las ciencias sociales. Madrid, Alianza. (303 COM )

WATTS, Ronald L. 2006. Sistemas federales comparados. Madrid, Marcial Pons

Basic bibliography

AGUILERA DE PRAT, Cesáreo R. y MARTÍNEZ, Rafael. 2000. Sistemas de Gobierno, partidos y territorio. Madrid, Tecnos.



ALCANTARA, Manuel. 1999. Sistemas Políticos de América Latina. Madrid, Tecnos.



BOIX, Carles y STOKES, Susan C. 2007. The Oxford Handbook of Comparative Politics. New York, Oxford University Press. 321 OXF



CARAMANI, Daniele. 2017. Comparative Politics. New York, Oxford University Press. 321 COM



COLOMER, Josep M. 1995. La Política Europa: Introducción a las instituciones de quince países. Barcelona: Ariel, Barcelona.



DROGUS, Carol Ann y ORVIS, Stephen. 2008. Introducing comparative politics. Concepts and cases in context. CQ Press. (321.01 DRO)



GALLAGHER, Michael, LAVER, Michael y MAIR, Peter. 2006. Representative government in modern Europe. Institutions, parties and governments. Singapore: McGraw-Hill.



MARKS, Gary; HOOGHE, Liesbet y SCHAKEL, Arjan J. 2008. Measuring Regional Authority. Regional & Federal Studies, 18 (2): 111-121.



LIJPHART, Arend. 2008. Thinking About Democracy. Power sharing and majority rule in theory and practice. Nueva York:



Routledge.



SANCHEZ MEDERO, Gema y SANCHEZ MEDERO, Rubén. 2013. Sistemas políticos en Europa. Valencia, Tirant loBlanch.



SARTORI, Giovanni. 2005. Partidos y sistemas de partidos: Marco para un análisis. Madrid, Alianza. (SBC 329 PAR)

In-depth bibliography

CAVERO, Iñigo y ZAMORA, Tomás. 1996. Los sistemas políticos. Madrid, Universitas.

GARCÍA COTARELO, R., ROMÁN MARUGÁN, P. and MALDONADO GAGO, J., 1993. Sistemas políticos de la Unión Europea: con inclusión de Estados Unidos y Japón. 1 edn. Madrid: Universitas, D.L. 1993.

KRIESI, Hanspeter et al. 2008. West european politics in the age of globalisation: six countries compared. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

McGARRY J. y O’LEARY, B. (2006a): “Consociational Theory, Northern Ireland’s Conflict, and its Agreement. Part 1: What Consociationalist Can Learn from Northern Ireland”, Government and Opposition, 41 (1): 43-63.

McGARRY J. y O’LEARY, B. (2006b): “Consociational Theory, Northern Ireland’s Conflict, and its Agreement 2. What Critics of Consociation Can Learn from Northern Ireland”, Government and Opposition, 41 (2): 249-277.

Journals

-Comparative Politics
-European Journal of Political Research
-Party Politics
-Revista de Estudios Políticos
-Revista Española de Ciencia Política
-West European Politics.

Web addresses

http://www.europeansocialsurvey.org/
http://ec.europa.eu/public_opinion
www.undp.org
http://www.idea.int/
http://www.parliament.uk/
http://www.house.gov/
http://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/
http://www.bundestag.de/htdocs_e/index.html