Syllabus
February 20
Introduction
The work methods
Identification of the problems studied in the groups, division into groups and preparation for online oral presentations and position papers.
Europe: perception of Europe, European values, a continent in the making, in: Tim Bale, European Politics, A Comparative Introduction, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2005, pp. 1 – 31
February 27
The nation state and Democracy in Europe
Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2020, pp. 69 – 102
Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 19 - 31
March 5
Cleavages in Europe, religious, ethnic, economic, social and ?…, in: Jan Eric Lane and Svante Ersson, Politics and Society in Western Europe, Sage Publication, London, 1999, pp. 37 – 75
Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 231 - 251
March 12
Political Parties, history, typology, and specifics in Europe, in: Jan Eric Lane and Svante Ersson, Politics and Society in Western Europe, Sage Publication, London, 1999, pp. 76 – 108
Inside European Political parties, how are political parties functioning? Are they still relevant? in: Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver, Peter Mair, Representative Government in Modern Europe, Institutions, parties and Governments, Boston, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2005, pp. 307-339
Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 211 – 230
Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 132 - 154
March 19
Elections and Electoral systems, Current elections, Formation of the Parliament, in: Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver, Peter Mair, Representative Government in Modern Europe, Institutions, parties and Governments, Boston, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2005, pp. 340-380 in: Edited by Paul Heywood, Erik Jones and Martin Rhodes, Developments in West European Politics 2, Palgrave, Basingstoke, 2002, pp. 94 – 114
Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 178 - 192
Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 89 – 111
March 26
Building and maintaining the government + case studies, in: Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver, Peter Mair, Representative Government in Modern Europe, Institutions, parties and Governments, Boston, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2005, pp. 381-421 in: Gabriel A.Almond, Russel J.Dalton, G.Bingham Powell, Jr., Kaare Strom, European Politics Today, Pearson Longman, New York, 3rd edition, 2006, pp. 62 – 83
Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 141 - 158
Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 171 - 191
April 2
Politics outside Parliament, in: Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver, Peter Mair, Representative Government in Modern Europe, Institutions, parties and Governments, Boston, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2005, pp. 441-461
Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 252 - 266
Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 203 - 205
April 9
European Integration and the member states, in: Simon Bulmer and Christian Lequesne, The Member States of the European Union, Oxford University Press, 2005, pp. 25-69
Politics in the European Union from the member state point of view, in: Gabriel A.Almond, Russel J.Dalton, G.Bingham Powell, Jr., Kaare Strom, European Politics Today, Pearson Longman, New York, 3rd edition, 2006, pp. 457 – 509
Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 419 - 438
Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp.
April 16
From Government to governance, in: Edited by Paul Heywood, Erik Jones and Martin Rhodes, Developments in West European Politics 2, Palgrave, Basingstoke, 2002, pp. 151 – 183
Multilevel Governance
April 23
Territorial Politics and the New Regionalism + case studies, in: Edited by Paul Heywood, Erik Jones and Martin Rhodes, Developments in West European Politics 2, Palgrave, Basingstoke, 2002, pp. 201 – 220.
Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 267 – 280, 193 - 210
Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 32 - 51
April 4
May 5
“Parliamentary debates”
Structured debates about the main topics and cleavages at the European Parliament elections in June 2024
Annotation
The course European Comparative Politics and Society will concentrate on the analysis of the pursuits of democracy in Europe. Firstly, the conception of Europe will be explored in its historical perspective and different perceptions: territorial, political, spiritual, cultural etc.
Secondly, the characterizing social cleavages of Europe will be introduced: territorial, economic, religious, national, ethnic etc. Furthermore, we will discuss how these cleavages get expressed in the formation of different social interests and lead to the organization of interest’s groups, political parties and NGOs and the contemporary challenges.
Thirdly, turning towards the institutional structures of European parliamentary democracies, we will address the existence of political party systems, as well as the executive and legislative powers represented by government and parliament. Fourthly, we will explore the rules and outcomes of different electoral systems, which ensure regular rotation of political elites at power – however, under different principles.
Finally, we will assess the enrichment of the classical models of government in Europe, which have in the last 30 years been supplemented by additional players participating in the decision-making processes on different levels (local, regional, national, and European) – leading to new political conceptualization of ‘governance’. Also, while European states remain core units of European integration, the EU leading to their Europeanization also influences them.