Comparative Political Behaviour

Politics in mass societies , democratic as well non democratic, is not only a game among elites. Elites attitudes and behavior are important. But main street people too are involved in the game. They may be interested in politics. Some of them may decide to be involved in politics. Most of them have the habit to turnout in elections of several types and to express a vote choice, indicating that they want their views are to be represented or that they think to take into account what the government has done. All this activities represent the engine of a vibrant democracy. In non-democratic polities people may be mobilized from the top. Dictators can benefit from these rituals because people might develop a sense of being part in a society larger than their most immediate communities. The comparative studies of political behavior are devoted to understand and explain the different forms in which mass people participate in politics , in both senses of being part in a top down mobilization or of taking part from the bottom in a process of political decisions. Comparative political behavior course intends to offer an opportunity to learn about the different types of political participation and how individual characteristics and institutions shape the modes of participation. We will devote a special attention to the comparative voting behavior. Last but not least the course represents an opportunity for students willing to learn how to analyze political behavior I comparative perspective. The course will be based on a series of seminars in which students are invited to take part actively. Class attendance is not mandatory but strongly recommended.

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