How does power differ from authority? What is the difference between a governing body and a state? What is democracy, and is it truly the best possible form of government?

Key topics that we will be discussing involve the distinction between political community and political organization such as the modern state, as well as the key prerogatives the state claims to possess vis-à-vis its citizens and other states. But there is a further core distinction between nations and states. What happens when there is a mismatch between the nation and the state?

What are the sources of power inside the state as political organization? Why do states strive so hard to get power? What is a “failed state” and to what extent does it depend on the recognition by, and interaction with, other states?

How is power distributed in political systems? How do the parliamentary, semi-parliamentary and presidential systems differ? Discussion of various systems of division of power in students home countries.

What are the main types of electoral systems in modern democracies and how do they work? What are their main advantages and disadvantages? What is the purpose of political parties?

What is the difference between democracy and authoritarian regimes? What are the basic characteristics of a democratic political system?

The aim is to show how democracy works in reality

Mid-term revision, students must demonstrate their understanding of topics covered in the first half of the semester. Mid-term exam takes place via NEO in class

Enjoy your break and get ready for the rest of the semester :)

Can democracy be transferred to other countries or is it closely associated with the Western system? We will examine the recent efforts, particularly the Arab Spring in the MENA region, to transfer democracy to non-European countries and the results of this process

How does political organization impact on development (in terms of economic growth and taxation)? What is the benefit of having rulers who are “stationary bandits” rather than “roving bandits”? Why, according to Olson, is democratic government better than either of those?

In this seminar we will be discussing the role of the media in contemporary politics. Does the media constitute a “fourth branch of government”? How does it contribute, and potentially impair, the democratic process? Does access to the media by private persons such as Silvio Berlusconi in Italy and Donald Trump in the US give them disproportionate political power in the public sphere? We will also examine the role of global media in the contemporary world.

What is the role of culture in contemporary politics? How do cultures differ in their basic values? We will discuss the famous Huntington´s “clash of civilizations” theory and Hofstede´s cultural comparison.

What is the role of religion in politics and society? We will discuss how religion is a factor in various conflicts around the world.

In this class we will analyze what causes democratic backsliding, that is decline in the quality of democracy. What are the current challenges to democracy in the western liberal democracies (populism, nationalism, polarisation)? What are common challenges in new democracies? Can any country be “democratic for good”? We will also focus on external challenges to democracy - the increase in the number of authoritarian states in the world. As a case study, we will use Poland and Hungary today and will analyse their historical experiences with both nationalism and authoritarianism and compare it to their current political climate. We will hold a discussion on “what is the biggest threat to democracy today?”.