Syllabus
West European Party Systems: Continuity and Change Institute of Political Science Teacher: Miloš Brunclík, Ph.D. Contact: milosbrunclik@centrum.cz Course code: JPM 255 Academic year: winter term 2010/2011 Time: Tuesdays, 8:00-9:20 Room: Jinonice, 3014 Consultation hours: before/after class Course description: The course is focused on West European party systems and their developments that have occurred since 1960s. The core of the course lies in presenting methodological and theoretical approaches to party systems. The aim of the course is to provide students with basic theoretical tools and a framework for the party system analysis. The concepts introduced in the course result from a decades-long analysis and political science literature, which is to be gradually presented during the term. The reason for laying stress on the theoretical level of analysis is abundance of empirical facts and a lack of a wider insight, which would help students analyze party systems from the comparative perspective. The empirical facet of party systems is also emphasized especially as regards examples of different issues connected with the key topic of the course. Even though parties and their developments are presented, they are not the focus of the course. Party systems in Sartori?s sense (system of interactions), parameters (e.g. format, polarization) as well as factors of stability and change (e.g. cleavages, volatility, socio-economic factors, patterns of cooperation and competition) lie at the centre of the course. There was a scholarly consensus on stability of West European party systems until the mid 1970s. Since then, however, many scholars have found evidence of change of the "frozen" party systems. There has been a long discussion among scholars on the nature, extent, causes and consequences of the change. Yet, some argue that party systems continue to be stable. Thus, continuity and change are key terms in the analysis of contemporary West European party systems. Formal requirements and other information:
1) Students should have basic knowledge in party politics of Western Europe.
2) Students are expected to attend class regularly.
3) The course is ended by an exam, i.e. short test based on questions concerned with the key facts presented in lectures.
4) A final paper of about 10-15 pages long on a topic chosen by the student with the teacher?s approval.
5) Note that in order to end the course, students need both to pass the test and write a good paper. Failure in either of requirements does not qualify students to end the course successfully.
6) Since nearly all readings are in English, this is the general classroom language as well. Participants are therefore expected to know enough English to be able to participate actively. Perfection is not required, students need to understand, speak and write at a satisfactorily level. Contents:
1. October 5: Introduction - course presentation: organization, formal requirements and description, overview of core concepts (party, party system), literature and scholars
2. October 12 - : Political parties - definition, typology and developments; scholarly discussion: party crises or party adaptation? o Readings 1: Katz, Mair 1995 o Readings 2: Mair, Mudde: 1998 (optional) o Readings 3: Allen 2009 (optional)
3. October 19 - Party systems and party system typology - definition, parameters, format, mechanics, typologies o Readings 1: Blondel 1968 o Readings 2: Wolinetz 2004 (optional)
4. October 26 - A short overview of basic approaches to party system analysis. Sociological approach - cleavage theory, socio-economic factors, freezing hypothesis o Readings 1: Lipset, Rokkan 1967 o Readings 2: Kriesi 1998 (optional)
5. November 2 - Institutional approach - impact of institutional settings and electoral systems on party systems o Readings 1: Duverger 1972 o Readings 2: Benoit 2006 (optional)
6. November 9- Quantitative approach - indicators of party system stability and change: electoral volatility, effective number of parties, fragmentation index o Readings 1: Pedersen 1991 o Readings 2: Drummond 2002 (optional)
7. November 16 - Concepts of party - voter relationship: partisan identification, realignment, dealignment, voter turnout o Readings 1: Beyme 2001 o Readings 2: Crewe et al. 1977 (optional) o Readings 3: Dalton et al 1984 (optional)
8. November 23 - Patterns of cooperation and conflict - electoral alliances, government formation, coalitions and types of government o Readings 1: Mair 1998: chapter 9 o Readings 2: Laver 1989 (optional)
9. November 30 - Challenges to "frozen" party systems - "silent revolution", postmaterial values, new issues, new political parties. Models of party system change - sociology of politics vs. political sociology o Readings 1: Mair 1998: chapters 2,3 and 4 o Readings 3: Inglehart 1971 (optional) o Readings 4: Inglehart 1977 (optional)
10. December 7 - New political parties - extreme right parties in contemporary Europe o Readings 1: Ignazi 2003: chapter 12 o Readings 2: Rydgren 2005 o
11. December 14 - Final test Important deadlines: a) November 17: Students announce topics of their course papers. b) January 30: Students hand in their course papers (paper or e-mail version).
Annotation
Course description:
The course is focused on West European party systems and their developments that have occurred since 1960s. The core of the course lies in presenting methodological and theoretical approaches to party systems. The aim of the course is to provide students with basic theoretical tools and a framework for the party system analysis. The concepts introduced in the course result from a decades-long analysis and political science literature, which is to be gradually presented during the term. The reason for laying stress on the theoretical level of analysis is abundance of empirical facts and a lack of a wider insight, which would help students analyze party systems from the comparative perspective. The empirical facet of party systems is also emphasized especially as regards examples of different issues connected with the key topic of the course.
Even though parties and their developments are presented, they are not the focus of the course. Party systems in Sartori?s sense (system of interactions), parameters (e.g. format, polarization) as well as factors of stability and change (e.g. cleavages, volatility, socio-economic factors, patterns of cooperation and competition) lie at the centre of the course. There was a scholarly consensus on stability of West European party systems until the mid 1970s. Since then, however, many scholars have found evidence of change of the "frozen" party systems. There has been a long discussion among scholars on the nature, extent, causes and consequences of the change. Yet, some argue that party systems continue to be stable. Thus, continuity and change are key terms in the analysis of contemporary West European party systems.