Contemporary Political Systems

This course introduces students to the diversity of different political systems across the world. Students will get to know concepts related to political development, regime type, institutional structure, and policymaking, while drawing upon a wide number of case study countries. The countries which will be discussed are representative of developed countries and developing nations. The thematic scope includes theories of state authority, the political and political significance of the referendum and general elections, models of government systems and directions of political changes. Students will explore democratic representative through political parties around the world and the effects of electoral systems on party system development. Role of political parties in the representation of societal interests, party system evolution, the consequences of electoral law, and challenges facing modern political parties today.

1. Introduction and overview of course

2. Political systems:

a. definitions, categories, concepts

b. main elements of the political system (institutions, organizations, ideologies, interest groups, societies)

3. Comparing political systems according to the nature of the state apparatus (democracy, authoritarianism, totalitarianism)

4. Division of political systems according to the type of political regime (monarchies, republics, presidential and parliamentary-cabinet systems etc.)

5. Political systems in unitary and complex states (federations, confederations). The division of powers (legislative, executive and judicial).

6. Political parties and Party systems. Electoral systems. Political culture and political participation. Social cleavages and political conflict.

7. Case studies, general overview:

a. Liberal political systems (direct and indirect democracy)

b. Political systems in communist states

c. Political systems in post-communist areas

d. Political systems in Islamic states

8-9. Specific case studies

10. Summary

1. Open access handbook:

"Contemporary Political Systems" is a team and comprehensive work of professor Savo Klimovski (PhD), professor Tanja Karakamiseva Jovanovska (PhD), and docent Aleksandar Spasenovski (PhD), from the Constitutional Law and Political System Department of the Law Faculty IustinianusPrimus, at the University of Ss. Cyril and Methodius in Skopje.

Download:https://www.academia.edu/38066280/CONTEMPORARY_POLITICAL_SYSTEMS

2. Lijphart, A. (2012) Patterns of Democracy: Government Forms and Performance in Thirty-Six Countries Second Edition. New Haven: Yale University Press.

3. Caramani, D. (2014) Comparative Politics Oxford: Oxford University Press

By the end of the module students will develop both contextual knowledge of contemporary political systems. Students will know political party and electoral systems around the world as well as theoretical knowledge on the evolution, functioning, and purpose of party representation. Students will be able to apply different theoretical frameworks and analytical toolkits to case study countries, compare and contrast the distinctive features of different political systems, evaluate and explain the development of political actors, institutions, cultures and economies.

Students will get ranking on the basis of:

- assignment after each class (67%)

- final project (33%)