GV121-4-SP-CO:
Institutions of Democracy
2020/21
Government
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 4
Current
Sunday 17 January 2021
Friday 26 March 2021
15
09 February 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
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This module is an introduction to the study of (political) institutions. Whenever political actors interact, they do so within the context of certain rules (e.g., voting under a specific electoral system). These 'rules of the game', as Douglass North has defined institutions, structure the incentives and behavior of individual political and economic actors.
n this module, we will first learn about political and economic interactions in the absence of institutions, and then about how the addition of institutions changes political and economic outcomes. We will also explore the differential effect of various institutions on political and economic behaviour and ultimately policy outcomes. Finally, we will learn why different institutions emerge and what leads rules to change.
The module aims to provide students with a thorough knowledge and understanding of institutions
At the end of this module, students should understand:
1. the logic of collective action
2. the different political systems and institutions in different countries
3. the consequences of institutions
4. the emergence and change of institutions
TOP READS
Taylor, Steven L., Matthew S. Shugart, Arend Lijphart, and Bernard Grofman. A different democracy: American government in a 31-country perspective. Yale University Press, 2014.
Kenneth A. Shepsle. 2010 (2nd Edition). Analyzing Politics: Rationality, Behavior and Institutions. New York, NY: W.W. Norton.
One weekly pre-recorded lecture and one weekly interactive lecture
- North, Douglass C. (1990) Institutions, institutional change, and economic performance, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. vol. The Political economy of institutions and decisions
- Taylor, Steven L.; Shugart, Matthew Soberg; Lijphart, Arend; Grofman, Bernard. (2014) A different democracy: American government in a Thirty-One-Country perspective, New Haven: Yale University Press.
- Miller, Gary J. (2005) 'The political evolution of principal-agent models', in Annual Review of Political Science. vol. 8 (1) , pp.203-225
- Hadfield, G. K.; Weingast, B. R. (2012) 'What Is Law? A Coordination Model of the Characteristics of Legal Order', in Journal of Legal Analysis. vol. 4 (2) , pp.471-514
- Shepsle, Kenneth A. (c2010) Analyzing politics: rationality, behavior, and institutions, New York: W.W. Norton.
- Ostrom, Elinor. (2000) 'Collective Action and the Evolution of Social Norms', in The Journal of Economic Perspectives. vol. 14 (3) , pp.137-158
- Proksch, Sven-Oliver; Slapin, Jonathan B. (2012) 'Institutional Foundations of Legislative Speech', in American Journal of Political Science. vol. 56 (3) , pp.520-537
- Diermeier, D.; Krehbiel, K. (2003) 'Institutionalism as a Methodology', in Journal of Theoretical Politics. vol. 15 (2) , pp.123-144
- Stokes, S. C. (1999-06) 'POLITICAL PARTIES AND DEMOCRACY', in Annual Review of Political Science. vol. 2 (1) , pp.243-267
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Online Test |
|
40% |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
60% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Roi Zur, email: roi.zur@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Roi Zur
Module Supervisor: Roi Zur roi.zur@essex.ac.uk
Module Administrators: Nicola Rowley (YR1) and Lewis Olley (YR2), govquery@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Arzu Kibris
University of Warwick
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 173 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
173 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Government
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