Political Practices that Currently Exist in Modern Times

Comparative government and politics provides an introduction to the wide, diverse world of governments and political practices that currently exist in modern times. Although the course focuses on specific countries, it also emphasizes an understanding of conceptual tools and methods that form a framework for comparing almost any governments that exist today. Additionally, it requires students to go beyond individual political systems to consider international forces that affect all people in the world, often in very different ways. Six countries form the core of the course: Great Britain, Russia, China, Mexico, Iran, and Nigeria. The countries are chosen to reflect regional variations, but more importantly, to illustrate how important concepts operate both similarly and differently in different types of political systems: "advanced" democracies, communist and post-communist countries, and newly industrialized and less developed nations. In addition to the six core countries, we study other countries around the world that reflect the specificities of the class taking the course. We also look at France, as the ASG is located in France, and make comparisons with the USA as all of you are either taking US Government this year or took it last year.

WHAT IS POLITICS?

Some people love politics. They may relish the excitement of political events, such as elections, as they would an exciting athletic contest (such as a Soccer World Cup). Others are fascinated with politics because they care about the issues and their consequences for people in their own communities or around the world. On the other hand, there are those who hate politics, either because it sets groups and individuals against each other, or because it involves abuse of power, deceit, manipulation, treachery, and violence. Finally, there are those who are indifferent to politics, who perhaps find it boring because it has little to do with the things that matter most to them. Politics has many faces