The module compares and contrasts political decision-making structures in a variety of contexts, with the aim of analyzing questions of power within and across nation states.

Educational Aims

The module gives students an introduction to comparative politics – and so forms the basis for later and more detailed studies in the second and third years. It encompasses numerous examples to help students understand similarities and differences between governments as practiced in the United Kingdom and abroad. More particularly, and most importantly, the module introduces students to the basic methods of comparative politics.