This course's main objective is to present and discuss contemporary issues and challenges to democratic governance and political institutions. In particular, it seeks to identify and assess these challenges by comparing different political systems and observing the differences/similarities among them. The comparative nature of this course will examine: (i) the structure and dynamics of different political systems; (ii) some of the challenges that modern democracies face; and (iii) the benefits and limitations of comparative analysis.
4-5 units · Letter (ABCD/NP)
This course's main objective is to present and discuss contemporary issues and challenges to democratic governance and political institutions. In particular, it seeks to identify and assess these challenges by comparing different political systems and observing the differences/similarities among them. The comparative nature of this course will examine: (i) the structure and dynamics of different political systems; (ii) some of the challenges that modern democracies face; and (iii) the benefits and limitations of comparative analysis.
Offered in Autumn 2026 at Stanford University.