Comparative Electoral Systems
| Module title | Comparative Electoral Systems |
|---|---|
| Module code | POL2130 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | 15 |
| Module staff | Dr Lizzie Simon () |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 11 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 100 |
|---|
Module description
Elections are the foundation of democracy – they are the way in which citizens formally express their consent to be governed and choose those that govern them. There are many types of electoral system and its features shape the relationship between the people and their government. This module considers several aspects of electoral systems and their effects in a comparative perspective. Rooted in theory, you will examine the empirical evidence on topics such as voting method, party competition, social group representation, turnout, candidate selection and satisfaction with democracy.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module will equip you with knowledge and understanding of electoral systems and how they shape the politics of a country. Taking a comparative perspective, you will interrogate the theory and evidence of electoral politics in a range of democracies. By participating fully in the module, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of various aspects of political systems, with the opportunity to specialise in one country or region, or apply a key feature of electoral systems to cases across the globe.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Demonstrate an understanding of how electoral systems shape the politics of a country and/or set of countries
- 2. Critically assess the features of an electoral system with reference to both theory and empirical evidence
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Appraise key texts in the fields of political science and electoral politics
- 4. Apply abstract theoretical ideas and concepts to actual events and outcomes
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Construct rigorous arguments through clear and concise writing
- 6. Read effectively and comprehensively summarise complex information and arguments
Syllabus plan
The topics that are expected to be covered include:
- Types of electoral systems
- Turnout
- Political and social cleavages
- Party system features
- Candidate selection processes
- Satisfaction with democracy
- Electoral system reform
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 21.5 | 128.5 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 16.5 | 11 lectures of 1-hour 30 mins each |
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching | 5 | 5 seminars of 1 hour each |
| Guided Independent Study | 128.5 | Including readings, seminar preparation and research for assessments |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five seminar ELE quizzes | 20 | 5 quizzes of 5 minutes each | 1, 4, 6 | Written feedback |
| Critical appraisal of an electoral system | 30 | 800 words | 1-6 | Written feedback |
| Essay | 50 | 1800 words | 1-6 | Written feedback |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Five seminar ELE quizzes (5 quizzes of 5 minutes each) | ELE quizzes available for a 48 hour period to be completed together. (20%) | 1, 4, 6 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Critical appraisal of an electoral system (800 words) | Critical appraisal of an electoral system (800 words) (30%) | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
| Essay (1800 words) | Essay (1800 words) (50%) | 1-6 | Referral/Deferral period |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
- Grofman, B. 2016. Perspectives on the Comparative Study of Electoral Systems, Annual Review of Political Science 2016 19:1, 523-540
- Herron, E.S., Pekkanen, R.J. and Shugart, M.S. eds., 2018. The Oxford handbook of electoral systems. Oxford University Press.
- Blais, A. and Massicotte, L., 1996. Electoral systems. Comparing democracies, 2, pp.40-69.
- Riker, W.H., 1982. The two-party system and Duverger's law: An essay on the history of political science. American political science review, 76(4), pp.753-766.
- Taagepera, R. and Laakso, M., 1980. Proportionality profiles of West European electoral systems. European Journal of Political Research, 8(4), pp.423-446
- Hooghe, L. and Marks, G., 2018. Cleavage theory meets Europe’s crises: Lipset, Rokkan, and the transnational cleavage. Journal of European public policy, 25(1), pp.109-135.
- Blais, A., Daoust, J.F., Dassonneville, R. and Péloquin-Skulski, G., 2019. What is the cost of voting?. Electoral Studies, 59, pp.145-157.
| Credit value | 15 |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 7.5 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 5 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 13/02/2024 |
| Last revision date | 16/02/2025 |
