Political science

The primary objective of the course is to introduce the key topics in the study of political science and the key tools for the study of politics. The material will cover the origin of states, regime determinants, regime transitions and consequences, the problems with group decision-making, legislative-executive relations, electoral systems, parties and party systems, political cleavages, institutional veto players, and the consequences of democratic institutions.

By the end of the course, the students will be able to
a) understand key topics in the study of political science, especially concerning the origin of modern states, the nature of regimes, their transitions and consequences, problems associated with group decision-making, and important features of modern democracies (including legislative-executive relations, electoral systems, parties and party systems, political cleavages, institutional design and their policy consequences);
b) assess critically this knowledge with the use of analytical tools employed in the study of politics, including the comparative method, game theory, qualitative case studies, statistical analysis and research design aspects related to the measurement and operationalization of key political concepts;
c) develop the ability to critically assess important scientific contributions and gradually build a critical-analytical approach to many of the important normative questions facing citizens and political leaders.