Following the theoretical approach of the different political organisations and regimes, the course will elaborate on different examples of contemporary forms of government such as United Kingdom, USA, China, Russia, Iran, India...In order to fully understand the founding principles of the different political organisations and apply the specific methodology of Comparative Politics. The course is entirely in English, in order to allow the students to master the specific vocabulary attached to this field of study.
Objectives
The first semester is dedicated to a theoretical approach of the historical foundations of democracy and republic, and of the representative regimes, leading the students from Ancient Athens to Rome, then to the political revolutions of the XVIIth-XVIIIth century. Following this approach, the semester concludes on the first comparative study between the British and US political system.
The students will need some basic knowledges in political sciences and political philosophy, as to be able to deal with the essential notions of comparative politics and understand the specifications of the different political systems studied during the course. Many different political organisations are studied here, but there are all, to some extent and degree, interlinked by a common political theoretical framework with which the student must at least be familiar with: forms of democracy, theorisation of the separation of powers, checks and balances. The course will especially interest students who are interested in political sciences and geopolitics and aim to strengthen their culture in those fields.
Lectures (CM). Critic analysis of documents, research and group and individual work during the tutorial sessions (TD).
Assessment and Final Grade
The final grade is obtained thanks to semester final sessions and tutorial examinations.
Course Requirements
The final grade is obtained thanks to semester final sessions and tutorial examinations.
Bibliography
Anthony H. BIRCH, The Concepts and Theories of Modern Democracy (London: Routledge, Third Edition, 2007)
Cornelius CASTORIADIS. Philosophy, Politics, Autonomy. Oxford University Press. 1991 (PDF available online with a Google search)
Bernard MANIN. Principes du gouvernement représentatif. Champs Flammarion. 2008
Hannah ARENDT. Between past and Future: Eight Exercises in Political Thought. New York: Penguin, 1978
Libraries
Practical information
