University of Essex

GV121-4-SP-CO:
Institutions of Democracy

The details

Year: 2023/24

Department: Government

Campus: Colchester Campus

Term: Spring

Level: Undergraduate: Level 4

Status: Current

Start date: Monday 15 January 2024

End date: Friday 22 March 2024

Credits: 15

Last updated: 02 February 2023

Requisites for this module

Pre-requisites: (none)

Co-requisites: (none)

Pre and / or co-requisites: (none)

Prohibited modules: (none)

Key module (requisite for): (none)

Key module for

BA L212 Global Politics,
BA L213 Global Politics (including Placement Year),
BA L214 Global Politics (including Year Abroad)

Module description

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 behaviour of individual political and economic actors.

In 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 different 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.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:

To provide students with a thorough knowledge and understanding of institutions.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to understand:

The logic of collective action;

The different political systems and institutions in different countries;

The consequences of institutions;

The emergence and change of institutions.

Module information

No additional information available.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be taught over 2 hours per week

Bibliography

Trouble with accessing resources? (no date). Available at: https://essex.libwizard.com/id/0ca0192f0d51b4c22469d6030fd1306f.
Taylor, S.L. et al. (2014g) A different democracy: American government in a Thirty-One-Country perspective. New Haven: Yale University Press. Available at: https://www.degruyter.com/isbn/9780300210705.
Ostrom, E. (2000) ‘Collective Action and the Evolution of Social Norms’, The Journal of Economic Perspectives, 14(3), pp. 137–158. Available at: https://search-ebscohost-com.uniessexlib.idm.oclc.org/login.aspx?direct=true&db=bsu&AN=3524488&site=ehost-live&authtype=sso&custid=s9814295.
Norris, P. (1997) ‘Choosing Electoral Systems: Proportional, Majoritarian and Mixed Systems’, International Political Science Review, 18(3), pp. 297–312. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1177/019251297018003005.
Kedar, O., Harsgor, L. and Sheinerman, R.A. (2016) ‘Are Voters Equal under Proportional Representation?’, American Journal of Political Science, 60(3), pp. 676–691. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/ajps.12225.
Kedar, O., Harsgor, L. and Tuttnauer, O. (2021) ‘Permissibility of Electoral Systems: A New Look at an Old Question’, The Journal of Politics, 83(2), pp. 439–452. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1086/709835.
Catalano Weeks, A. (2022b) Making gender salient: from gender quota laws to policy. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2024539.
Stokes, S.C. (1999) ‘Political Parties and Democracy’, Annual Review of Political Science, 2(1), pp. 243–267. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev.polisci.2.1.243.
Carter, N. et al. (eds) (2023b) Routledge Handbook of Political Parties. London: Taylor & Francis Ltd. Available at: https://app.kortext.com/Shibboleth.sso/Login?entityID=https://idp0.essex.ac.uk/shibboleth&target=https://app.kortext.com/borrow/2302194.
Golder, S.N. and Thomas, J.A. (2014) ‘Portfolio Allocation and the Vote of No Confidence’, British Journal of Political Science, 44(1), pp. 29–39. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007123412000580.
Thürk, M. (2022) ‘Small in Size but Powerful in Parliament? The Legislative Performance of Minority Governments’, Legislative Studies Quarterly, 47(1), pp. 193–224. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1111/lsq.12329.

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	Research 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

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Reassessment

Coursework	Exam
100%	0%

Module supervisor and teaching staff

Supervisor: Dr Roi Zur, email: roi.zur@essex.ac.uk.

Teaching staff: Dr Roi Zur

Contact details: Module Supervisor: Roi Zur, roi.zur@essex.ac.uk

Availability

Available to incoming Essex Abroad / Exchange students: Yes

Available to Outside Option: Yes

Available to Audit: No

External examiner

Name: Dr Katharine Dommett

Institution: The University of Sheffield

Academic role: Senior Lecturer

Resources

Teaching materials: Available via Moodle

Lecture recording: Of 20 hours, 20 (100%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

Further information

Department website: Government

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Module Directory

GV121-4-SP-CO:Institutions of Democracy