On completion of the course, students will have:
- gained a critical appreciation of the varying role of elections in contemporary political systems
- gained a familiarity with the political science debate about major electoral trends in representative democracies
- gained an understanding of the basic electoral dynamics, strategies and actors in selected political systems
It is a fair bet that on any day of the year there will be an election somewhere, whether at the local, regional, national or supranational level. Somebody whispered to me that there is a general election coming up in Finland. But what is the point of elections? What do they decide – if anything? Few candidates like them, many voters dislike them and they are expensive at public expense. This course offers a fundamental examination of the multiple aspects of elections and the electoral process, with primary reference to contemporary representative democracies.
Indicative Content
Course Schedule
March 5 Why hold elections?
March 7 What should elections seek to achieve?
March 12 Do electoral actors play by the rules?
March 14 Do campaigns matter?
March 19 Have elections become more personalised?
March 21 Are elections decisive?
March 26 Do elections change the direction of policies?
March 28 Concluding Discussion: So what else did you want to know about elections but have’nt dared to ask?
Email registration essential by 25 February
Compulsory course attendance and course diary
Compulsory preceding studies: POLPOP02 Introduction to Political Science, or equivalent studies at sending institution (exchange students).
5 ECTS for Bachelor's level completion (POLVOA41)
10 ECTS for Master's level completion (POLVOS28)
Further information from the teacher at the beginning of the course.