COMPARATIVE HISTORY OF POLITICAL SYSTEMS

The course is designed to broaden and deepen students’ understanding of democracy by examining the political history of twentieth-century Europe.

A solid general knowledge of nineteenth- and twentieth-century history.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to analyze political issues from a historical perspective; critically evaluate and interpret primary and secondary sources; articulate their reflections in a clear, coherent, and well-structured manner, both orally and in writing; and defend their arguments effectively in academic discussion with instructors and peers.

The course examines the political history of European democracy since 1945: the founding or re-founding of Western European democracies after the war; the drafting of new constitutions; the development of party systems; the evolution of the public sphere in the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s; and the political challenges of the new millennium. These events are analysed within a long-term methodological and conceptual framework that encompasses political modernity as a whole, from the late eighteenth century onwards.

There is no single textbook. The readings listed in the weekly schedule below are required and will be discussed in class. Readings for Weeks 1–5 are available at the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/v9motdnlzbplsk3ujpj9e/AItrpWci_fiTri2JcGOrcM4?rlkey=emz7uunqb5vrbvfzhukmxhtvp&dl=0 Readings for Weeks 6–12 are taken from G. Gerstle, The Rise and Fall of the Neoliberal Order: America and the World in the Free Market Era (Oxford University Press, 2022), which students are expected to purchase.

Teaching combines lectures, class discussion, and student presentations. Lectures by the instructor introduce each week's topic and are open to questions and discussion throughout. The readings assigned for each week are discussed in class, and students are expected to have read them in advance. From Week 5 onwards, groups of students present the historical documents listed in the syllabus; each presentation is followed by a class discussion in which everyone is expected to take part.

Group presentations Friday sessions in Weeks 5, 6, and 8–12 are devoted to group presentations. Groups of three to four students will present one of the historical documents proposed by the instructor, followed by class discussion. Presentations may not exceed 20 minutes; the limit will be strictly enforced. Slides must be emailed to both the instructor and the teaching assistant by the Sunday before the presentation. Presentations and class participation together account for one-third of the final grade. Presentation grades cannot be declined and remain valid for all exam sessions. How groups are formed and documents assigned will be explained in the first session (10 September). Midterm and final exam Students who take the midterm. The written midterm exam takes place on Friday 23 October and covers Weeks 1–5: one question, 60 minutes, one-third of the final grade. It is optional, but its grade cannot be declined, and it remains valid only if the final exam is taken in the winter exam session. The final exam for these students covers Weeks 6–12: one question, 60 minutes, one-third of the final grade. Students who do not take the midterm, or who take the final exam after the winter session, sit a two-hour written exam with two questions on the entire course, which counts for two-thirds of the final grade. Non-attending students Non-attending students take a two-hour written final exam with two questions on the entire course, which counts for two-thirds of the final grade. In addition, they must submit a 2,000-word essay on one of the documents listed below, which accounts for the remaining one-third. The choice of document must be agreed in advance with the teaching assistant. The essay must be emailed to both the instructor and the teaching assistant at least three weeks before the chosen exam date. .