O0CP 2020 - Comparative electoral behaviour

This seminar offers an overview about the main theories and the current debates in the analysis of electoral competition and political representation. We will see what the main functions of elections are from the point of view of citizens, and how they relate to different conceptions of political representation. We will review the most important approaches to explaining citizens’ preferences, based on factors such as social identity, issue preferences, or evaluations of the economic situation and of the government’s performance. We will also focus on the behaviour and decisions of parties and candidates, in particular regarding their issue strategies. For all of these aspects of electoral competition, a particular importance will be given to a comparative approach, in order to highlight how the political and institutional context influences the decisions of citizens and parties.

A list of compulsory and recommended additional readings will be distributed at the beginning of the term.

(au minimum 1 lecture obligatoire, 5 maximum qui seront affichées dans le recueil des enseignements)

A list of compulsory and recommended additional readings will be distributed at the beginning of the term. Useful general references in the field of comparative electoral

The assessment will be based on three components:

Participation in the discussions and preparation of the readings

Short presentation of one of the readings

A final term paper.