Intro to Comparative Politics: How to Compare the Incomparable

An introduction to politics around the world through a comparative lens. Surveys elements of societies ranging from electoral institutions to persistent ethnic conflict. Provides explanations of the presence of those elements: e.g., why do governments take the form they do; when do they change; why do they experience conflict? Discusses explanations of consequences of those elements: e.g., how do institutions influence party systems, economic policy, and conflict? Introduces the tools necessary to assess those explanations. Highlights differences and similarities among countries and offers a range of approaches to analyzing the political world and comparing the incomparable.