The course European Comparative Politics and Society will concentrate on the analysis of the pursuits of democracy in Europe. Firstly, the conception of Europe will be explored in 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 interests 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, which ensure regular rotation of political elites at power – however, under different principles. Finally, we will assess the enrichment of the classical models of government in Western Europe, which have in the last 20 years been supplemented by additional players participating in the decision making processes on different levels (local, regional, national and European) – leading to new political conceptualization of ‘governance’. Also, while European states remain core units of European integration, the EU leading to their Europeanization also influences them. The new challenges facing Europe, such as populism, immigration, globalization, financial crisis, continuing European integration, regionalization, restructuring of social welfare systems and the issues of identity, will be discussed.
The course will be taught online using ZOOM.
Before the first class please enroll in the Moodle using the following link: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=10198
Last update: Mgr. Jan Váška, Ph.D. (22.09.2020)
The course European Comparative Politics and Society will concentrate on the analysis of the pursuits of democracy in Europe. Firstly, the conception of Europe will be explored in 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 interests 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, which ensure regular rotation of political elites at power – however, under different principles. Finally, we will assess the enrichment of the classical models of government in Western Europe, which have in the last 20 years been supplemented by additional players participating in the decision making processes on different levels (local, regional, national and European) – leading to new political conceptualization of ‘governance’. Also, while European states remain core units of European integration, the EU leading to their Europeanization also influences them. The new challenges facing Europe, such as populism, immigration, globalization, financial crisis, continuing European integration, regionalization, restructuring of social welfare systems and the issues of identity, will be discussed.
The course will be taught online using ZOOM.
Before the first class please enroll in the Moodle using the following link: https://dl1.cuni.cz/course/view.php?id=10198
Aim of the course -
Last update: Mgr. Jan Váška, Ph.D. (31.08.2020)
For more information see the syllabus below.
Last update: Mgr. Jan Váška, Ph.D. (31.08.2020)
For more information see the syllabus below.
Literature -
Last update: Mgr. Jan Váška, Ph.D. (31.08.2020)
Please see the syllabus; further reading will be suggested during the classes.
Last update: Mgr. Jan Váška, Ph.D. (31.08.2020)
Please see the syllabus; further reading will be suggested during the classes.
Teaching methods -
Last update: Mgr. Jan Váška, Ph.D. (31.08.2020)
For more information see the syllabus below.
Last update: Mgr. Jan Váška, Ph.D. (31.08.2020)
For more information see the syllabus below.
Requirements to the exam -
Last update: Mgr. Jan Váška, Ph.D. (21.09.2020)
Every student will be responsible for:
1) Class Participation and Oral Presentation
Each student will prepare for class by doing the designated readings, the designated oral presentations online during the course and actively participating in the work of designated working group (presentations on the lecture topics and debates on the topic of the working group) and the class discussions.
Two unexcused absences can be tolerated.
2) Paper (December 1)
Each student will write an 8 page (double-spaced) research paper. “Are there “European” values?
Each student will write a paper based on readings on European values and identity, liberal democracy and new perceptions of further development and monitor the debates about the current situation with special attention to the covid crisis and its consequences. Detailed instructions will be given during the class.
Quotations and the complete list of sources are compulsory. The paper will be sent electronically to the address lenka.rovna@ruk.cuni.cz
Requirements for the class:
Paper (8 pages) 30%
Oral online presentation 40%
Active participation in the class and on Moodle 30%
Last update: Mgr. Jan Váška, Ph.D. (21.09.2020)
Every student will be responsible for:
1) Class Participation and Oral Presentation
Each student will prepare for class by doing the designated readings, the designated oral presentations online during the course and actively participating in the work of designated working group (presentations on the lecture topics and debates on the topic of the working group) and the class discussions.
Two unexcused absences can be tolerated.
2) Paper (December 1)
Each student will write an 8 page (double-spaced) research paper. “Are there “European” values?
Each student will write a paper based on readings on European values and identity, liberal democracy and new perceptions of further development and monitor the debates about the current situation with special attention to the covid crisis and its consequences. Detailed instructions will be given during the class.
Quotations and the complete list of sources are compulsory. The paper will be sent electronically to the address lenka.rovna@ruk.cuni.cz
Requirements for the class:
Paper (8 pages) 30%
Oral online presentation 40%
Active participation in the class and on Moodle 30%
Syllabus -
Last update: PhDr. Ladislav Beneš (02.10.2022)
October 4
Introduction
The work methods
Identification of the problems studied in the groups, division into groups and preparation for online oral presentations and position papers
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
October 11
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
October 18
Cleavages in Europe, religious, ethnic, economic, social and ?…, in: Jan Eric Lane and Svante Ersson, Politics and Society in Western Europe, Sage Publication, London, 1999, pp. 37 – 75
Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 231 - 251
October 25
Political Parties, history, typology, and specifics in Europe, in: Jan Eric Lane and Svante Ersson, Politics and Society in Western Europe, Sage Publication, 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
November 1
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
November 8
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
November 15
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
November 22
European Integration and the nation state, in: Simon Bulmer and Christian Lequesne, The Member States of the European Union, Oxford University Press, 2005, pp. 25-69
Politics in the European Unionfrom 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.
November 29
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
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
December 6
Debate on the topics of the Groups 1 - 2
December 13
Debate on the topics of the Groups 3 - 4
December 20
Debate on the topics of the Groups 5 - 6
Working groups and the topics for Oxford Debate:
Statements:
Populism is on the Rise –
Democracy in Europe is in crisis –
Political Parties in Europe are in decline –
There is a West East cleavage again –
The EU must change to meet the new challenges –
The EU and the USA are inseparable couple –
Last update: PhDr. Ladislav Beneš (02.10.2022)
Syllabus for the group led by Professor Lenka Rovná:
Every student will be responsible for:
1) Class Participation and Oral Presentation
Each student will prepare for class by doing the designated readings, the designated oral presentation during the course and actively participating in the work of designated working group (presentations on the lecture topics and debates on the topic of the working group) and the class discussions.
Two unexcused absences can be tolerated.
2) Paper (December 1)
Each student will write an 8 page (double-spaced) research paper. “Is Liberal Democracy Dead?”
Each student will write a paper based on readings on liberal democracy and monitor the debates about the current situation. Detailed instructions will be given during the class.
Quotations and the complete list of sources are compulsory. The paper will be sent electronically to the address lenka.rovna@ruk.cuni.cz
Requirements for the class:
Paper (8 pages) 30%
Oral presentation 40%
Active participation in the class 30%
Introduction
The work methods
Identification of the problems studied in the groups, division into groups and preparation for online oral presentations and position papers
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
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
Cleavages in Europe, religious, ethnic, economic, social and ?…, in: Jan Eric Lane and Svante Ersson, Politics and Society in Western Europe, Sage Publication, London, 1999, pp. 37 – 75
Daniel Caramani, Comparative Politics, Oxford University Press, Oxford 2020, pp. 231 - 251
Political Parties, history, typology, and specifics in Europe, in: Jan Eric Lane and Svante Ersson, Politics and Society in Western Europe, Sage Publication, 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
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
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
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
European Integration and the nation state, in: Simon Bulmer and Christian Lequesne, The Member States of the European Union, Oxford University Press, 2005, pp. 25-69
Politics in the European Unionfrom 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.
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
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
