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Comparative Government and Politics

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Course Type Course Code No. Of Credits
Discipline Core NSUS1PO606 4

Course Coordinator and Team:                   SES Faculty

Email of course coordinator:                       pcbabed@aud.ac.in 

Pre-requisites:                                               No

Course Description

This course, Comparative Government and Politics, offers an in-depth comparative analysis of four major global powers: the United States, the United Kingdom, Russia, and China. It explores the constitutional frameworks, political institutions, party systems, and governance models that define each country's political system. With the examination of these diverse systems—ranging from liberal democracies to authoritarian regimes—students will gain a nuanced understanding of how political structures evolve, function, and respond to contemporary challenges. The course also emphasizes how these countries influence global governance and international relations.

Course Objectives:

  • Examine and compare the constitutional structures and governmental institutions of the USA, UK, Russia, and China.
  • Analyse the organization, ideology, and functioning of political parties and party systems in the four countries.
  • Understand how political institutions shape policy outcomes, governance efficiency, and economic development.
  • Explore the impact of different political ideologies on state functioning and public participation.
  • Develop critical thinking skills to assess the comparative strengths, weaknesses, and adaptability of various governance models in a global context.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

  • Critically evaluate the constitutional frameworks and the roles of the legislature, executive, and judiciary in the USA, UK, Russia, and China.
  • Analyse and compare the structure, ideology, and influence of political parties in each of the four countries.
  • Identify and explain key similarities and differences between democratic and authoritarian systems of governance.
  • Gain insight into how global political dynamics are shaped by the domestic politics of these influential nations.
  • Apply comparative political analysis to assess governance challenges and prospects across varied political systems.

Brief description of the Modules:

Module I: Constitutional Framework and Government – I (USA and UK)

This module introduces students to the constitutional evolution and political institutions of the United States and the United Kingdom. It offers a comparative analysis of their legislatures, executives, and judiciaries. The US is studied as a presidential democracy with a written constitution and a strong separation of powers, while the UK is examined as a parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy with an unwritten constitution. This comparison highlights different interpretations of democratic governance and the implications for policymaking and accountability.

Module II: Political Parties and Party System – I (USA and UK)

Focusing on the political parties of the US and UK, this module analyses their structure, ideological foundations, and roles within their respective political systems. The US two-party system dominated by Democrats and Republicans is contrasted with the UK's multi-party parliamentary system led by the Conservative and Labour parties. The module explores how electoral systems and historical context shape party behaviour, voter alignment, and government formation.

Module III: Constitutional Framework and Government – II (Russia and China)

This module examines the governance models of Russia and China, two countries with centralized authority and distinct institutional configurations. Russia's semi-presidential system and China’s one-party socialist republic are analysed in terms of their legislative, executive, and judicial functions. Special attention is given to constitutional design, power distribution, and the role of ideology in sustaining regime stability and governance efficiency.

Module IV: Political Parties and Party System – II (Russia and China)

In this module, students will explore the nature and functioning of political parties in Russia and China. Russia's dominant-party system and the role of United Russia are examined alongside China's single-party system led by the Communist Party of China (CPC). The module addresses ideological control, political mobilization, opposition suppression, and reform efforts, offering insight into the resilience and limitations of authoritarian party systems.

Assessment Structure:

Assessment

Weightage

in-class quizzes and short response notes (combined: 30%)

30%

Assignments and/or presentations

30%

End-term assessment/Final examination

40%

References

  • Almond, Gabriel A., Powell, G.B.; Strom, K. and Dalton, R.J. (2007) Comparative Politics Today: A World View, New Delhi: Pearson. Ch 1, Ch 2, Ch 8 & 19
  • N. Chandhoke, (1996) ‘Limits of Comparative Political Analysis ‘, in Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 31 (4), January 27, http://pp.PE 2-PE2-PE8
  • Marjorie Randon Hershey . Party Politics in America, New York, Routledge, 2021. Ch 1, 2, 4 & 16
  • Matthew Flinders (ed.) et al. The Oxford Handbook of British Politics, 2010. Section 5-Ch 16. Pp. 283-301; Ch 24, pp. 441-460
  • J. Kopstein, and M. Lichbach, (eds), (2005) Comparative Politics: Interests, Identities, and Institutions in a Changing Global Order. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, pp.1-5; 16-36; 253-290
  • William A. Joseph (ed.), Politics in China: An Introduction, OUP, 2009.
  • Stephen White, Understanding Russian Politics, Cambridge University Press, 2011. Pp. 1-114.
  • Roderick MacFarquhar, The Politics of China: Sixty Years of The People's Republic of China, Cambridge University Press, 2011. Pp. 6-86
  • Ling LI, “Political-Legal Order and the Curious Double Character of China’s Courts”,Asian Journal of Law andSociety , Volume 6 , Issue 1 , May 2019 , pp. 19 – 39
  • Stephen White, Understanding Russian Politics, Cambridge University Press, 2011. Pp. 27-70.
  • Gerald Krieger, “The party and the people: Chinese politics in the 21st century”, International Affairs, Volume 97, Issue 5, September 2021, Pages 1660–1662
  • “China's Political Party System: Cooperation and Consultation”, www. Full Text: China's Political Party System: Cooperation and Consultation | english.scio.gov.cn
  • Larry Catá Backer, “Chinese Constitutionalism in the New Era: The Emerging Idea and Practice of Constitution in the 19th CPC Congress Report” Working Papers Coalition for Peace & Ethics, No. 11/1 (November 2017)
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