|
|
|
SPOL1315 - Political Systems
[1 Q. • 30 Th. • 3 ECTS - credits]
| Lecturer :
|
|
Duez Denis |
|
|
|
| Language of instruction :
|
|
French |
|
|
|
| Learning outcomes :
|
|
The terms "dictatorship", "democracy", "monarchy», "republic" or "totalitarian regime" have today entered everyday language. However, their precise contours are often poorly understood by those who use them. These familiar terms also have a very long history in which merge an effort to describe the political systems they refer to and value judgments on them. For some, such as "totalitarianism", it is quite simply their validity that is brought into question by political science. The course aims to provide students with a critical analysis of a range of typologies of political systems, from Plato to the modern era, and at the same time takes an in-depth look at a selection of them.
|
|
|
|
| Prerequisites :
|
|
Recommended: An introductory political science course.
|
|
|
|
| Course contents :
|
|
The course is organised around two main parts: (1) liberal democracies, and (2) authoritarian or ‘totalitarian' regimes. For each of the systems studied, the course offers an opportunity to critically reflect on and discuss the meaning and consequences of typologies per se, but also an opportunity to define the systems being studied in detail.
Introduction: Definition(s) and history of the concept of "political system"
Part 1: Liberal democracies
Section I : Definition(s) and typologies of liberal democracies
Section II : Voting systems
Section III : Party systems
Section IV: Case study: the presidential system - the USA
Section V: Case study: the cabinet system - the UK
Section VI : Case study: the semi-presidential system- France
Section VII : Case study: rationalised federalism - the Federal Republic of Germany
Section VIII : Case study: the consociational system - Belgium/the Netherlands
Part 2: Authoritarian and totalitarian systems
Section IX : Definition(s) and typologies of authoritarian systems
Section X : Modernising authoritarian systems
Section XI : Authoritarian systems in the third-world
Section XII : Debates on the concept of "totalitarianism"
Section XIII: Fascists and communists
Section XIV: Ideology of the end of History and regime change doctrines
|
|
|
|
| Mode of delivery :
|
|
The course described above is delivered through lectures. Lectures include the presentation of theory and of empirical data on each of the themes tackled. The PowerPoint slides used during lectures cover the ‘bones' of the course and include the illustrative materials used (tables/diagrams). They are available via iFUSL.
|
|
|
|
| Assessment methods and criteria :
|
|
The written final examination aims to test students' understanding of the concepts and ideas presented during the lectures. Examination questions will ask the student to think through and analyse a topical issue, which assumes a solid understanding of the basics of the subject matter.
The course reference book (compulsory) is: Aron, Raymond, “Démocratie et totalitarisme”, Paris, Gallimard, coll. "Folio", 1987. One of the final examination's questions will be based on material presented in this publication.
|
|
|
|
| Recommended or required reading :
|
|
PowerPoints and other documents (which may be handed out in class) are made available via the course's website.
|
|
|
|
|
