EUP405 Comparative Politics of Western Europe

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2007
Extent and Intensity
1/1/0. 16 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Tomáš Foltýn, Ph.D. (lecturer)
prof. PhDr. Vít Hloušek, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Jakub Šedo, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Anna Shavit, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
PhDr. Petr Suchý, Ph.D.
Department of International Relations and European Studies – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Anna Shavit, Ph.D.
Timetable
Wed 10:00–11:40 U44
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course is focused on comparative analysis of political systems of West European countries. The topics are selected in a way that allows students to obtain the basic survey and comparative methodological basis about political systems, political institutions and processes that are typical for the European highly developed democracies. First, students get basic introduction to the issue of system-comparison of democratic states, including basic classification and typology of democratic systems (parliamentary, presidential, direct democracies). The course focuses on French, British, German and Swiss political systems, because these systems are excellent examples of the aforementioned theoretical models. The political systems of the Scandinavian countries, the Low Countries and Spain are also examined. Essays written in this course aim at improving the abilities of students in the comparative-oriented research and writing.
Syllabus
  • Class Schedule - Topics (including keywords and readings) 1. Basic concepts of comparative analysis of political systems The three dimensions of comparative analysis (polity, politics, policy), comparative method, comparative government, comparative politics, comparative constitutional science, political institutions, political processes, political system and its sub-systems, functions, system of government, typology of political systems, direct democracy, representative democracy, presidential and semi-presidential democracy, parliamentary democracy, monistic versus dualistic executive. Readings: Almond, G. A., Bingham Powell, G., Strom, K., Dalton, R. J. (2001): Comparative Politivs. A Theoretical Framework. New York: Longman, pp. 39-55 & 128-164. 54 pages Hague, R., Harrop, M. (2001): Comparative Governments and Politics. An Introduction. Basingstoke: Palgrave, pp. 218-270. 53 pages 2. United Kingdom, Italy and Germany as models of parliamentary democracies Westminster model, constitutional tradition, House of Commons, first-past-the-post, House of Lords, parliamentary majority, Her Majesty's Opposition, cabinet, government, head of the state, devolution. Italian balanced parliamentarism, referendum and people's initiative, coalition government, partitocrazia (correntocrazia), mixed election system, regionalism, political instability, presidential office and its powers, constitutional jurisdiction. Rationalized parliamentarism in Germany, chancellor principle, constructive vote of no-confidence, separate legitimity of Federal Parliament and Federal Council, federalism and Länder, personalised proportional election system. Readings: Budge, I. (1996): Great Britain and Ireland. In: Colomer, J. M. (ed.): Political Institutions in Europe. London New York: Routledge, pp. 18-61. 44 pages Schmidt, M. G. (1996): Germany. In: Colomer, J. M. (ed.): Political Institutions in Europe. London New York: Routledge, pp. 62-99. 38 pages Keating, M. (1999): The Politics of Modern Europe. Cheltenham-Northampton: Edward Elgar, pp. 300-225. 76 pages 3. French presidential democracy and Swiss direct democracy The 4th and 5th French Republic, semi-presidentialism, president, government, National Assembly, prime minister between president and parliamentary majority, cohabitation, election system of absolute majority, centralised bureaucracy. Direct and representative democracy in Swiss political system, referendum and its types, obligatory and facultative referendum, federative system, Federal Assembly, National Council, Council of States, Federal Council, magic formula, collegial decision making, collective head of the state. Readings: Mény, Y. (1996): France. In: Colomer, J. M. (ed.): Political Institutions in Europe. London New York: Routledge, pp. 99-136. 38 pages Linder, W. (1997): Swiss Democracy: Possible Solutions to Conflict in Multicultural Societies. Palgrave Macmillan. 80 pages. Lane, J.-E. (2001): Introduction: Switzerland - Key Institutions and Behavioural Outcomes. West European Politics, Vol. 24, N. 2, pp. 1-19. 18 pages Kloti, U (2001): Consensual Government in a Heterogeneous Polity. West European Politics, Vol. 24, N. 2, pp. 19-37. 16 pages 4. Political systems of BENELUX Belgian monarchy, Belgian bicameralism, national cleavages and tensions in Belgium, Belgian federal structure, functions and composition of federal government, coalition governance and its functioning, forming of government, constitutional jurisdiction. Monarchy in Netherlands, bicameralism of the States General, The Senate and regional division of the state, Lower House, extreme proportional election systém, forming and functioning of coalition governments (mediator), verzuiling and ontzuiling. Readings: Keman, H.: (1996): The Low Countries. In: Colomer, J. M. (ed.): Political Institutions in Europe. London New York: Routledge, pp. 211-253. 43 pages 5. Political systems of Scandinavian countries Scandinavian model of politics, Scandinavian welfare state, social partnership, heads of states - monarchies versus republics, executive, unicameral and bicameral parliaments, proportional election systems and their peculiarities in Scandinavia, positive and negative parliamentarism, minor cabinets, fragmented party systems, ombudsmen, referendum in Scandinavian political systems. Readings: Lane, J.-E.; Ersson, S. (1996): The Nordic Countries. In: Colomer, J. M. (ed.): Political Institutions in Europe. London New York: Routledge, s. 254-281. 28 stran 6. Political system of Spain Spanish transition to democracy, Spanish monarchy, bicameralism of Cortes generales. Autonomous Communities and Spanish regionalism, constitutional jurisdiction. Readings: Keating, M. (1999): The Politics of Modern Europe. Cheltenham-Northampton: Edward Elgar, pp. 367-427. 61 pages Generally student has to read 549 pages and to write 20 pages to get to the final examination.
Language of instruction
English
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
Listed among pre-requisites of other courses
The course is also listed under the following terms Spring 2005, Spring 2006, Spring 2008, Spring 2009, Spring 2010, Spring 2011, Spring 2012, Spring 2013, Spring 2014, Spring 2015, Spring 2016, Spring 2017, Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2020.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Spring 2007, recent)
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