The main objective of the course is to provide an introduction to politics and governments in contemporary European democracies. The course explores how European democracies are similar in many respects, but how they also differ on a number of dimensions. It investigates how we might best study and understand these similarities and differences, particularly by looking at the long-established democracies in Western Europe as well as the relatively new democracies in Central and Eastern Europe. The course specifically considers the structures of political power, the characteristics of governments and the role of parliaments in modern Europe. It also examines political parties, party families and party systems, voting behaviour as well as the changing nature of social cleavages and political competition in contemporary Europe.
- Učitel: Marko Stojić