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Compared Political Systems

Code 15737
Year 1
Semester S1
ECTS Credits 6
Workload OT(15H)/TP(30H)
Scientific area Ciência Política
Entry requirements None.
Learning outcomes The curricular unit is organized into 6 topics. At the end of the teaching-learning process, the student should be able to:
1. Understand and interpret the debate around the concept of political system;
2. Understand and identify the central characteristics of political systems and their subsystems;
3. Analyze the functioning of political systems in a comparative perspective
4. Understand the impact of the functioning of the political system and its possible changes on the functioning of democracy
5. Analyze the contexts and mechanisms of change in political systems
6. To frame the Portuguese political system in the light of the global comparative context.
Syllabus The Curricular Unit program covers the following topics:

1. Concept of political system and systemic approach
2. Political system and its subsystems
3. Political systems in comparative perspective
3.1. Parliamentarism
3.2. Presidentialism
3.3. Semipresidentialism
3.4. Other political systems
4. Functioning of political systems and the quality of democracy
5. Reform of political systems
6. Portuguese political system
Main Bibliography Duverger, M. (1985). Os Grandes Sistemas Políticos: Instituições Políticas e Direito Constitucional – 1. Coimbra: Livraria Almedina.
Fernandes, A.J. (1991). Os sistemas político-constitucionais português e espanhol. Lisboa: Europa Editora.
Freire, A. (org.) (2012). O sistema político português séculos XIX-XXI – continuidades e rupturas. Coimbra: Almedina.
Morais, C.B. (1997). As metamorfoses do semipresidencialismo português, Revista Jurídica, n.º 22, pp. 141-159.
Freire, A., Martins, M.M. & Moreira, D. (2008). Para uma melhoria da representação política. A reforma do sistema eleitoral. Lisboa: Edições Sextante.
Pasquino, G. (2005). Sistemas Políticos Comparados, Cascais: Princípia.

All texts available in Moodle Plataform.
Teaching Methodologies and Assessment Criteria The classes will have a theoretical-practical nature. Some sessions will take a more expository approach, aimed at presenting the main concepts, theories and programmatic formulations, always allowing space for interaction and discussion with students. Other sessions will take the form of discussion seminars, based on previously completed readings, namely scientific articles and other texts related to the topics taught.

Regular assessment:
- Written test (50%).
- Discussion seminars (40%).
- Participation and attendance (10%).

Alternative assessment (working students): to be agreed with the lecturer at the beginning of the academic year.
Language Portuguese. Tutorial support is available in English.
Last updated on: 2024-09-30

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