After having completed the course unit, the student understands the concept of an institution, as well as the central structural and functional principles of political systems, and knows which actors influence the political decision-making process. The student is aware of the principles of different forms of governance and theories of democracy. The student understands the societal position of political institutions, and is able to evaluate the interactions between political forces and institutions. The student is also able to analyse political decision-making as a process, starting from an issue becoming political, and ending in the implementation of the decision.