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The course European Comparative Politics and Society will analyse the pursuits of democracy in Europe. Methodologically, it is based on rigorous comparative analysis and up-to-date empirical data. Similarities and differences will be explored. The concept of multilevel governance will be used, and the nation-state, subnational, and supranational levels will be studied. Actors from the state, market, and society followed. Firstly, the conception of Europe will be explored from its historical perspective and different perceptions: territorial, political, spiritual, cultural, etc. Secondly, the characterizing social cleavages of Europe will be introduced: territorial, economic, religious, national, ethnic, etc.
Furthermore, we will discuss how these cleavages get expressed in the formation of different social interests and lead to the organization of interest groups, political parties, and NGOs, and the contemporary challenges. Thirdly, turning towards the institutional structures of European parliamentary democracies, we will address the existence of political party systems, as well as the executive and legislative powers represented by government and parliament. Fourthly, we will explore the rules and outcomes of different electoral systems, ensuring regular rotation of political elites in power under different principles. Finally, we will assess the enrichment of the classical models of government in Europe, which have, in the last 30 years, been supplemented by additional players participating in the decision-making processes on different levels (local, regional, national, and European) – leading to the new political conceptualization of ‘governance.’ Also, while European states remain core units of European integration, the EU, leading to their Europeanization, influences them. The new challenges facing Europe, such as politics in the USA, European integration, the development of the war in Ukraine, populism, immigration, (de)globalization, regionalization, and the issues of identity, will be discussed. The course is open only for students of master's degree programmes. Last update: Bartůšek Jaroslav, Bc. (02.02.2026)
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Students will get insight into the new challenges facing Europe, such as the war in Ukraine, energetic crisis, pandemic crisis, populism, immigration, (de)globalization, financial crisis, continuing European (dis)integration, regionalization, restructuring of social welfare systems and the issues of identity, will be discussed. Last update: Bartůšek Jaroslav, Bc. (02.02.2026)
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Grading is based on the Dean's Measure Directive SO 002 17/2023. https://fsv.cuni.cz/sites/default/files/uploads/files/S_SO_002_001_Organization_of_examination_dates%2C_assessment_of_study%2C_and_the_use_of_A%E2%80%93F_grading_scale_at_FSV_UK_2.pdf
Last update: Bartůšek Jaroslav, Bc. (02.02.2026)
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Please see the syllabus; further reading will be suggested during the classes. Last update: Bartůšek Jaroslav, Bc. (02.02.2026)
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In Spring term 2025/26 the course is taught in person. Classes combine lectures, presentations, discussions and group work on assignments.
Materials are placed in Moodle. Students are working in assigned groups. Last update: Bartůšek Jaroslav, Bc. (02.02.2026)
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Every student will be responsible for:
1) Class Participation, Presentations, and Oxford Union Club Debates Each student will prepare for the class by doing the designated readings, participating actively in the designated oral presentations during the course, and participating in the class work. During the Oxford Union Club Debates simulations, students will show an understanding of the topic, creating and defending the given position. Two unexcused absences can be tolerated.
2) Paper (May 28 ) Each student will write an 8-page (double-spaced) research paper on a selected topic: “The EU and current challenges” or “New cleavages in European society?” Each student will write a paper based on readings and their research. Detailed instructions will be discussed during the class. Quotations and the complete list of sources are compulsory. The paper will be sent electronically via Moodle.
Requirements for the class:
Paper (8 pages) 40% Oral presentations 40% Active participation in the Oxford Union Club Debates 20% Last update: Bartůšek Jaroslav, Bc. (02.02.2026)
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February 17 Introduction The work methods, using different types of sources
February 24 Europe: perception of Europe, European values, a continent in the making, in: Tim Bale, European Politics, A Comparative Introduction, Palgrave Macmillan, Basingstoke, 2005, pp. 1 – 31
March 3 The Nation-State and Democracy in Europe Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford, 2020, pp. 69 – 102 Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 19 - 31
March 10 Cleavages in Europe, religious, ethnic, economic, social and ?…, in: Jan Eric Lane and Svante Ersson, Politics and Society in Western Europe, Sage Publications, London, 1999, pp. 37 – 75 Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 231 - 251
March 17 Political Parties, history, typology, and specifics in Europe, in: Jan Eric Lane and Svante Ersson, Politics and Society in Western Europe, Sage Publications, London, 1999, pp. 76 – 108 Inside European Political parties, how are political parties functioning? Are they still relevant? in: Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver, Peter Mair, Representative Government in Modern Europe, Institutions, parties and Governments, Boston, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2005, pp. 307-339 Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 211 – 230 Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 132 - 154
March 24 Elections and Electoral systems, Current elections, Formation of the Parliament, in: Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver, Peter Mair, Representative Government in Modern Europe, Institutions, parties and Governments, Boston, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2005, pp. 340-380 in: Edited by Paul Heywood, Erik Jones and Martin Rhodes, Developments in West European Politics 2, Palgrave, Basingstoke, 2002, pp. 94 – 114 Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 178 - 192 Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 89 – 111
March 31 Building and maintaining the government + case studies, in: Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver, Peter Mair, Representative Government in Modern Europe, Institutions, parties and Governments, Boston, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2005, pp. 381-421 in: Gabriel A.Almond, Russel J.Dalton, G.Bingham Powell, Jr., Kaare Strom, European Politics Today, Pearson Longman, New York, 3rd edition, 2006, pp. 62 – 83 Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 141 - 158 Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 171 - 191
April 7 Politics outside Parliament, in: Michael Gallagher, Michael Laver, Peter Mair, Representative Government in Modern Europe, Institutions, parties and Governments, Boston, McGraw Hill, 4th edition, 2005, pp. 441-461 Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 252 - 266 Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 203 – 205
April 14 European Integration and the member states, in: Simon Bulmer and Christian Lequesne, The Member States of the European Union, Oxford University Press, 2005, pp. 25-69 Politics in the European Union from the member state point of view, in: Gabriel A.Almond, Russel J.Dalton, G.Bingham Powell, Jr., Kaare Strom, European Politics Today, Pearson Longman, New York, 3rd edition, 2006, pp. 457 – 509 Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 419 - 438 Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp.
April 21 From Government to governance, in: Edited by Paul Heywood, Erik Jones and Martin Rhodes, Developments in West European Politics 2, Palgrave, Basingstoke, 2002, pp. 151 – 183 Multilevel Governance
April 28 Territorial Politics and the New Regionalism + case studies, in: Edited by Paul Heywood, Erik Jones and Martin Rhodes, Developments in West European Politics 2, Palgrave, Basingstoke, 2002, pp. 201 – 220. Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 267 – 280, 193 - 210 Catherine E.de Vries, Sara B. Hobolt, Sven-Olivier Proksch, Jonathan B. Slapin, Foundation of European Politics, A Comparative Approach, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2021, pp. 32 - 51
May 5 Oxford Union Debates I
May 12 Oxford Union Debates II
https://oxford-union.org/pages/formal-debates Last update: Bartůšek Jaroslav, Bc. (02.02.2026)
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