كلية القانون والعلوم السياسیة

This course is designed to explore the main topics, theoretical contributions, and case studies in the field of comparative politics. The course will give the students a concise theoretical framework on comparative politics. The course will demonstrate the historical developments in the formation of the modern state style (the Westphalian model of states), namely ‘Nation-State’. Main types of political systems will be highlighted such as democracy, Autocratic political systems (authoritarianism), monarchies ...etc. with each one of them having a case study that can help the students to develop analytical skills in evaluating alternative explanations. Electorate systems: voting and political parties, constitutions and their impact on political change

:By the end of the semester students should be able to

1. Under stand the concept of the nation-state and have a solid understanding on the impact of the nature of the nation-states on inter-state and intra-state interactions.

2. Identify, and distinguish between the models of political systems within states,

3.Receive a solid knowledge and have a clear understanding on the case studies dedicated for each model on political systems.

4.Understand why nation-states very when it comes their political freedoms and economic performance.

5. Understand bureaucratic procedures of government formations, elections, and relations between executive, judicial, and legislative powers in different political regimes.

6.Recognize and define a large number of key terms in political sciences and especially in the field of Comparative Politics.

7.Academically compare between different political systems and types of governments in the right criteria.

8.Read, understand, analyze, and academically criticize constitution of any state.

9.Understand and analyze how constitution of any state is formed with a clear understanding on the historical, geo-political, social, economic, security, political, and religious factors on the constitution.

10.Develop academic writing, research, critical thinking, and academic debating skills. 

• Introduction To Comparative Politics.

• The relevance of comparative politics.

• Approaches in Comparative Politics

• Comparative research methods.

• The nation-state

• Democracies.

• Authoritarian regimes

• Legislature.

• Governments and bureaucies.

• Constitutions, rights, and judicial power.

• Election and referendums

• Multilevel governance.

• Political Parties

• Party systems.

• Interest Groups

• Regions.

• Social movements.

• Political culture.

• Political Participation

• Political Communication.

• Policy-Making

• The welfare state.

• The impact of public policies

• The EU as a new political system.

• Globalization and the nation-state

• Form supporting democracy to supporting autocracy.