POL 200 Comparative Politics

An introductory course to comparative politics. Students of comparative politics are confronted with two essential questions: How and why do state structures differ, and how do these differences affect state performance? With an emphasis on the 19th century to the present, this course examines forces in state formation and change, the effect of actors and institutions on political processes, and differences in governance among states. Students will receive a broad exposure to political themes and phenomena in the states of Europe and Asia, together with some exposure to trends in Africa and Latin America. 3 hour(s). SSC.