These and other questions that go to the very heart of the political and social organization of our world can be answered by understanding how to compare political systems. Political systems can be compared across time or across space. Spatial comparisons, which are most common, identify the similarities and differences between the political systems of different countries.
Temporal comparisons attempt to explain why political systems change.
While both types of comparison are valuable and will be examined, this course will focus on understanding political change. This course will introduce students to the study of comparative political systems. Be able to apply methods for comparing political systems to explain political phenomena in today's world. This is a lecture course. Nonetheless, there will be ample opportunity for discussion of various topics and it is expected that students will participate in the lectures by asking questions and contributing ideas.