The development of this course has been funded by the Curriculum Resource Center (“CRC”) at the Central European University (“CEU”), whose
programs are partially funded by the Higher Education Support Program (“HESP”). The opinions expressed herein are the author’s own and do not
necessarily express the views of CEU.
Lecturer:
Host Institution:
Course Title:
Year of CDC Grant:
Larissa Kuzmitcheva
Yaroslavl State University
Comparative politics: political processes in Russia, the USA
and Great Britain (1980's onwards)
2001 / 2002
This course is the first stage in studying the discipline “The Comparative Government and Politics”.
The students will be introduced to the American, British, Russian political systems and will compare
and contrast their political institutions and their operations, distinguishing features in seminar
discussions. These include political parties, the electoral system and electoral behaviour, the core
executive, legislative (Duma/Congress/Parliament), pressure groups and the policy-making process,
the local government system, the impact of Russia’s/USA/Britain’s membership of the
CIS/NAFTA/EU on the decision-making process. While study the political systems of Great
Britain and the USA, the following themes should be addressed: the nature of democracy; the
models of democratic governance; political ideologies; principles of comparative government.
Special emphasis should be placed on the study of the political system of Russia, involving such
concepts as sovereignty, nationalism, self-determination and nation-state, political sources of
instability and the disintegration of the Soviet Union and then to analyse the elements of transition
from soviet rule to democracy.
This introductory course is designed for students, taking modules of Department of Further
Education in order to be better prepared for entrance exams and future study at Department of
Social-Political studies. Students take this course together with preparatory classes in Language,
Literature (composition writing skills) and History. Successful students who will enter the University
will continue this course at a higher level.
Student’s assumed knowledge basis for course participation: completion of school subjects: History,
Politics, Society and Civilisation.
Objectives of the course
The core aim of the course is to provide knowledge of some of the main forms of government in
the world today and of the conceptual frameworks available for comparing them.
Other objectives:
1 To refresh a knowledge of the political history of the USA, Britain, Russia: 1980- onwards;
2 To introduce basic political concepts and the principles of the comparative approach;
3 To introduce Government and Politics in Russia, Great Britain, the USA;
4 To consider the most interesting and arguable topics of the course through seminar discussions.
Learning outcomes:
Subject-specific skills:
a good knowledge of key British, American and Russian political institutions and their operation and an ability to
consider them in comparative perspective and in connection with each other;
knowledge of contemporary issues in world politics.
Core academic skills:
- ability to critically analyse both empirical and theoretical material;
- ability to evaluate and critically analyse political events and processes;
- ability to employ factual material to support particular arguments and explanations of events;
- ability to deploy theoretical arguments and apply them to empirical case studies.
Personal and key skills:
- ability to construct well-structured and rigorous arguments;
- ability to articulate one’s own view points and positions and to listen to the opinions of others,
attentively and respectfully;
- ability to work independently and in groups;
- ability to learn from criticism;
- ability to write essays;
- ability to use the Internet;
- ability to make presentations through seminar discussions.
Course Details
Lecture Synopsis
I Studying Politics: an introduction
The foundations of comparative government and politics.
The aim is to introduce the core concepts of the subject and the classification of governments.
The following political definitions are used: politics and government; the state; sovereignty,
power, the nation and nationalism, authority, legitimacy).
While classifying governments, 3 types of government are given: established (“consolidated”)
democracy, new democracy and authoritarian rule.
The state in a global context.
The aim of the lecture is to introduce the global environment states face. Four aspects are
focused on: international organizations; regional bodies such as the EU; humanitarian
intervention in the domestic affairs of states; the global economy, including multinational
corporations.
The Comparative Approach.
Here the nature of comparative politics and the main research strategies used in its execution are
examined. Within a focus on countries, three different levels of analysis are introduced:
institution-centred, society-centred, state-centred. Then the advantages and the difficulties of
comparative approach are given, frameworks of comparison, comparative techniques are given.
II Russian / American / British politics in context: international, social and historical
settings.
Russia.
Focused on: the road to democracy, establishment of organised opposition, Gorbachev’s years,
perestroika and glasnost, the 1989 Revolutions and the disintegration of the USSR, economic
transition and reforms, legislative reforms and new constitution, building new political system, the
issue of nationalism and the conflict in Chechnya, peculiarities of Russian federalism, rise in
localism, Russian elites.
The USA.
Emphasis on New Democrats politics, the end of the cold war and new world order, the relations
with European partners in the framework of NATO, the USA and economic reforms in Russia, the
USA-the EU, doctrines of foreign policy, participation in local conflicts: the Second Gulf War,
Bosnia, Kosovo, Russian-American relations in post cold war period.
Great Britain.
Special emphasis on New Labour politics, ideology of “the third way” and its components,
participation in the EU and NATO, approach to the Eastern enlargement, British role in European
local conflicts.
III Governments and Politics in Russia, Great Britain, the USA
The Structures of Government.
The next 4 lectures address the following aspects of governance in three countries:
constitutions and the legal framework; federal, unitary and local government;
legislatures, the political executive and the bureaucracy.
The key concepts and definitions:
“unwritten” constitution, the impact of Europe on the British “constitution”, the movement
for constitutional reform; the Prime Minister, the cabinet, prime ministerial styles, departments and
ministries, the civil service role, the structure of parliament, parliamentary scrutiny of government;
local councils, local democracy, the (dis)United Kingdom? Ireland, Scotland and Wales, devolution.
The USA: the American constitution, federalism, Congress, the Presidency, American bureaucracy.
Russia: Russian federalism, Duma, President, introduction of a new Russian constitution, local
government and the elites, local legislative assemblies, governors and mayors, peculiarities of
Russian bureaucracy, the issue of corruption.
Britain:
Politics and Society.
Focus on:
(2 lectures)
Political culture in established democracies (the USA, Great Britain), in authoritarian states and new democracies (the
Soviet Union / Russia);
Political communication: the media in Russia, the USA, Great Britain;
Political participation.
Linking Society and Government. (3 lectures)
Elections and voters in the USA, Russia and Great Britain
(elections: scope, franchise and turnout; electoral
systems: legislatures and presidents, referendums, voting behaviour);
Political parties and party factions
The USA: the Democratic and Republican Parties;
Great Britain: Conservatives, Liberal and Labour;
Russia: the construction of party system.
The following issues are addressed through comparison of three countries: the functions of parties,
factions and factionalism, party structure and organization, the social base of parties, what the
parties stand for, party ideologies, manifestos and programmes, alternatives to party democracy.
Interest/Pressure groups.
Focus on: pressure groups and “civil society”, how groups operate, pressure groups and democracy;
protective and promotional groups, channels of access, conditions of influence, pluralism and
corporatism, interest groups in new democracies.
Public policy
(stages of the policy process, public policy in established democracies / in new
democracies.
The international dimension of state politics: Russia–CIS, Britain-EU, the USA-NAFTA
IV Revision Session
Seminar Synopsis
I The foundations of the comparative government and politics: an introduction
Using various political dictionaries, give other definitions of key concepts in politics than given in the lecture.
Do you agree with the classification of governments given in the lecture: “established democracy”, “new democracy”,
“authoritarian rule”? Argue your answer.
Give examples of other classifications of governments given by prominent historians and philosophers of the past.
II Nation-state and the issue of globalisation
Explain your understanding of the phenomenon of “globalisation”.
What arguments for/against are supporters/opponents of the globalisation using?
Give examples of projects of the regional integration. What is the history of their creation?
Describe the most authoritative international organizations and the aims of their activities.
Read the articles given in Reader (pp. 5-15) and answer the questions they are followed.
III Comparative approach to politics: advantages and difficulties
What are the aims and limits of comparison?
What is the methodology of comparison?
What are advantages/disadvantages of comparative method?
What are the techniques used in comparative analysis?
IV Russia in 1985-2001: the period of transition?
Revise the main events in political history of Russia in this period.
What social-economic reforms have been introduced in Russia after 1985?
Disintegration of the USSR: failure or victory? Argue your answer.
What are positive/negative consequences of the transition in Russia?
Characterize the government and politics in Russia.
V The USA: the center of monopolar world after the end of the cold war?
Characterize domestic policy of new democrats and President B. Clinton.
Characterize foreign policy of new democrats and President B. Clinton.
What are the results of the cold war for the USA?
VI Great Britain: the change of party governments in the mid 1990-s
Why did New Labour win in 1997?
The components and contradictions of “the third way ideology”.
What are the main changes in the European policy of Great Britain under New Labour?
VII The USA – Russia – Great Britain: current relationship and perspectives of cooperation
Characterize Russian-American relations on the threshold of the XXI century.
What are challenges and potential threats to Russian relations with the USA/Great Britain?
What are the contradictions between western and Russian diplomacy in Balkan crisis and the following war in Kosovo.
Enlargement of the NATO / EU and Russian interests in Europe.
VIII The structure of government in Great Britain / the USA / Russia
Briefly describe Russian/ British/ American political system.
Characterize the Westminster model of government, its basic components, peculiarities of ministerial and cabinet
government.
British / American / Russian constitutions: are there possibilities of comparison? Argue your answer.
What type of government is developing in Russia?
Compare presidential and ministerial government.
Identify the distinguishing features of Russian federalism in comparison with the American one.
What the role is Duma playing in Russian politics, Congress in the USA, Parliament in Great Britain?
What are trends of development of local government in the three countries?
IX Society and Politics: the USA / Great Britain / Russia
What is the role of the mass media in modern life?
What is the historical and political significance of the Internet as the global communication?
Give comments on the political advertisement in the British tabloid “The Sun” during the election campaign of 1992.
(Reader, p. 62) What effect could it produce on the public opinion? Try to find similar examples in Russian periodicals
during the Duma election in 1999.
What is the relationship between the Government and the mass media in Russia?
How could you describe the concept «the political culture”? Is there the political culture in Russia?
The level of political culture and public participation in politics. Give examples from the political history of Russia,
Great Britain, the USA.
X Electoral systems, parties, interest groups and elections in the USA / Russia / Great
Britain
Characterize main electoral systems using examples of the USA / Russia / Great Britain. What are advantages/
disadvantages of the majority system in comparison with the proportional system?
What are the criteria in your opinion of fair elections? Evaluate the last elections in Russia according to these criteria.
What is the role of parties in political life?
Is it possible to build the proper democracy while the parties are weak, but the civil society is highly developed? Argue
your point of view.
Do ideology and party program have the same significance in Russia as in the USA and Great Britain?
Explain the concepts of “pluralism” and “corporatism”.
What are advantages/disadvantages of political activities of interest groups? Which pressure groups have maximum
influence in Russia?
In Reader (pp 68-70), distinguishing features of left and right ideologies in British politics are given. Evaluate the policies
of New Labour in this context.
Try to find web-sites of the main parties of the USA, Russia, Great Britain. Evaluate their effectiveness, design and
simplicity of search and use. Which one do you like most of all?
XI Russia / the USA / Britain participation in the projects of the regional integration
What are differences between the history and development of NAFTA and the EU?
Could you consider Britain one of the main actors of the European Community? Explain your point of view.
Is it possible to make parallels and comparison of the EU and CIS? Why?
In Reader (p 96) there are political cartoons from the British press on the British stance on Europe. Give your answers
on the following questions:
Could we assess the British attitude towards the European integration based on these illustrations?
What is British press attitude towards the opposition of H. Macmillan to British joining the EU?
XII Final colloquium
Assessment
Students will be expected to complete a number of assignments during the semester:
a short bibliographic essay;
one short essay;
one major essay;
one seminar presentation;
participation in seminar discussions;
one to one discussion with the lecturer on the major essay;
final examination.
All assignments will be assessed. Good marks will give a chance to take exam in May (in case of
failure, a student has an opportunity to take it again in July, when all entrance exams are held at the
University)
Final assessment:
Examination: 50% of the final mark
Essays: 20% of the final mark (including essay discussion)
Presentation: 20% of the final mark
Active participation in seminar discussions: 10% of the final mark
Reading list
I / 1.
Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, Comparative Government and Politics: an Introduction. – Palgrave,
2001. Part I, pp. 3-47.
Oxford concise Dictionary of Politics, 2000.
Davies A., Comparative Government: Introducing, 2000.
I / 2.
Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, Comparative Government and Politics: an Introduction. – Palgrave,
2001. Part I, pp. 47-61.
Hurrell A., Woods N., Inequality, Globalisation and World Politics, Oxford 1999.
J.Baylis, S. Smith, The Globalisation of World Politics: an Introduction to International relations,
1997.
The United States and the Global Economy: Serving Citizens or Corporate Elites? // Bruce Miroff,
Roymond Seidelman, Todd Swanstrom, Debating democracy. A Reader in American politics . –
Boston, New York, pp. 365-376.
I / 3.
Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, Comparative Government and Politics: an Introduction. – Palgrave,
2001. Part I, pp. 62-79.
G. Peters, Comparative Politics: Theory and Methods, Macmillan, 1998.
II / 1.
Robert Service. A History of Twentieth-Century Russia. – L., 1998.
Ronald G. Suny. The Soviet Experiment: Russia, the USSR, and the Successor States. – N.Y.,
Oxford, 1998.
II / 3
The New British Politics. 2nd Edition / Ed. by Budge I., Crewe I., McKay D., Newton K. –Harlow,
2001.
III / 1
Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, Comparative Government and Politics: an Introduction. – Palgrave,
2001. Part I, pp. 185-270.
The New British Politics. 2nd Edition / Ed. by Budge I., Crewe I., McKay D., Newton K. –Harlow,
2001, pp. 133-174, 177-263, 402-473.
Bruce Miroff, Roymond Seidelman, Todd Swanstrom, Debating democracy. A Reader in American
politics . – Boston, New York // pp. 14-31, 52-68, 269-289, 307-326, 326-334.
III / 2
Public opinion: Ignorant or Wise // Bruce Miroff, Roymond Seidelman, Todd Swanstrom,
Debating democracy. A Reader in American politics . – Boston, New York, pp. 160-186.
The New Media: Corporate Wasteland or Democratic Frontier // Bruce Miroff, Roymond
Seidelman, Todd Swanstrom, Debating democracy. A Reader in American politics . – Boston, New
York, pp. 186-207.
Political Participation: Are Generation Xers Political Slackers or Innovators? // Bruce Miroff,
Roymond Seidelman, Todd Swanstrom, Debating democracy. A Reader in American politics . –
Boston, New York // pp. 254-269.
Politics and Society // Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, Comparative Government and Politics: an
Introduction. – Palgrave, 2001. Part I, pp. 79-126.
III / 3
Colton T/J/ Transitional Citizens: Voters and What Influences Them in the New Russia, 2000.
Axford, Huggins, New Media and Politics, 2001.
Bruce Miroff, Roymond Seidelman, Todd Swanstrom, Debating democracy. A Reader in American
politics . – Boston, New York // pp. 207-254.
Linking Society and Government // Rod Hague, Martin Harrop, Comparative Government and
Politics: an Introduction. – Palgrave, 2001. Part I, pp. 129-182.
III / 4
The changing state: Administrative reforms // The New British Politics. 2nd Edition / Ed. by
Budge I., Crewe I., McKay D., Newton K. –Harlow, 2001, pp. 245-263.
Local Democracy? // The New British Politics. 2nd Edition / Ed. by Budge I., Crewe I., McKay D.,
Newton K. –Harlow, 2001, pp. 446-473.
III / 5
Britain in Europe; Europe in Britain // The New British Politics. 2nd Edition / Ed. by Budge I.,
Crewe I., McKay D., Newton K. –Harlow, 2001, pp. 85-133.
J.Baylis, S. Smith, The Globalisation of World Politics: an Introduction to International relations,
1997.
Teaching methodology
Teaching will be through a combination of weekly two-hour lectures and linked two-hour seminars.
Each seminar is based on topics drawn from the lecture of the previous week. Seminars are
organised as discussion groups, but they require personal presentations as well.
Variety of teaching methods in seminars: team work (where students learn from each other through
class discussions and collaborative work), role-play, seminar discussions and presentations, essay
writing.
Students will be asked to find empirical materials on some topics in newspapers and on the Internet
and place them into the framework of theoretical knowledge they have received during previous
lectures.
One workshop will be provided in Computer-lab in order to assist students in their ability to use
Internet.
Two workshops will be organised to provide essay-writing skills.
Finally one on one discussions with every student about the major essay will be organised.