DDRO 22A02 - Comparative legislatures

This class is designed to address questions of representation, democratic development, and power sharing through legislative process. Building on the analysis of comparative political institutions, covered in previous fundamental courses, this course will examine in details how legislatures are structured and organized to

promote features of democratic governance. The course, while drawing on literature from the French parliament, will incorporate comparative institutions in Europe, America and Asia. Following two introductory Sessions, the first part of the course – Inside Legislature’s organization – (Lectures 3-8) will critically examine how Legislature is a manifestation of democracy through the study of Parliament organized in space. The second part of the course – Inside Legislature’s work – (Lectures 9-11) will examine how Legislatures can work for and improve democracy through their law making and control of the executive tasks. Readings joined to each session will allow students to prepare the topics before class and provide them with material for individual research. Course will be presented through four intensive periods within the semester.

At the end of the course, the student is expected to :

1°) Compare and contrast the organization of legislatures and its consequences

2°) Evaluate the effects of electoral systems, party systems and separation of powers on democratic durability and representation

3°) Understand the law making and writing process and identify an important research question in comparative institutions

To validate the course, the student is expected to pass the following assignments:

1°) 1/3 of the final grade: One take-home research/reading paper and quick (5 minutes) class presentation

2°) 1/3 of the final grade: Midterm quiz (30 minutes)

3°) 1/3 of the final grade: Final examination (2 hours written exam)