General
The following are the two key textbooks and one optional used in our course.
Topic outline
What is Comparative Politics? What does it study and why?
- Newton and van Deth (2009) Introduction (pp. 1-10)Read Part 1 only.
How and what to compare? Methods of comparison
- Newton and van Deth (2010) (pp. 400-413)
- Powell et al (2015) Chapter 2
Development of the modern state
- Newton and Van Deth (2010) Chapter 1
- Boix and Stokes (2007) Chapter 9Political attitudes and behavior
- Newton and van Deth (2009) Chapter 9
- Powell et al (2015) Chapter 3
- Boix and Stokes (2007) Chapter 15
Mid Term 1
Answer all questions including the sub questions. Exam duration is 70 minutes. Each essay should be at least 200 words. Demonstrate familiarity with CP concepts, theories and scholars where applicable. Indicate any sources used (think plagiarism!). No need to log in to Zoom session. Start immediately.
Political Parties and Party Systems
- Newton and van Deth (2009) Chapter 13
- Powell et al (2015) Chapter 5
- Start thinking about the group project presentations which you will deliver in Week 9. Read the guidelines below in the 'Group Presentations' section.
- Start thinking about the group project presentations which you will deliver in Week 9. Read the guidelines below in the 'Group Presentations' section.
Pressure groups and social movements
- Newton and van Deth (2009) Chapter 10
- Powell et al (2015) Chapter 4
Topics for Group Presentations
You may choose any one of the following topics or suggest a topic of your own.Stability of democracy in newly established democracies (Eastern Europe and Baltic states).
Post-Soviet political culture and democratization: successes and failures.
Social movements in Central Asia: how do they originate and disappear?
Majoritarian and consensus governments and quality of democracy.
Dominant party systems in autocratic and democratic regimes: similarities and differences.
Post colonial discourse and construction of national identity in former Soviet republics.
Voters and elections
- Newton and van Deth (2009) Chapter 12
A scholarly and empirical database on elections worldwide.
Study its work, mission and objectives. Read country reports, etc.
Study the report and identify problems with elections in Kaz. Compare these results to parliamentary elections in Russia and Tajikistan.
Presidential and parliamentary government
- Newton and van Deth (2009) Chapter 5
- Powell et al (2015) (pp. 103-109)
Group Project Presentations
- Presentations dates: 9 and 11 Nov
Mid Term 2 and Argumentative Paper Workshop
The duration of the exam is 80 minutes. Cite any sources used; failure to do so will result in plagiarism and be graded as 'zero'.
- Put your paper topic and argument in the table.
Answer all the questions fully. Provide supporting evidence if necessary. Feel free to use additional resources, but do not forget to cite them.
Policy making and legislating: executives and legislatures
- Newton and van Deth (2009) Chapter 7
Read this influential paper for a class discussion of whether stronger legislatures lead to stronger democracies?
Read the paper above and answer the following questions.
- This topic
Politics in France
- Powell et al (2015) Chapter 9
Comparisons of political systems of the UK and France.
Politics in Kazakhstan
- An authoritative overview of human rights issues in Kazakhstan by HRW.
Do you agree with the opinion of this prominent American diplomat?
Term Paper Presentations
Presentations delivered on 9 and 14 December 2021.
Submit your paper no later than 11 December, 23.59. Late submissions penalized by 5 points/hour.