The course deals with the topic of political order and the conditions that may produce and preserve it in time. Modern societies, not only the democratic ones, are subject to continuous changes that undermine the political arrangements and can foster disintegrating trends. The course illustrates to the students an analytical framework and a theoretical scheme that is useful for the acquisition of a mature understanding of the dynamics characterizing the political institutions developed by in Western modernity.
Course Prerequisites
The course does not require any specific prior knowledge or training. However, students will benefit from having being already acquainted with the lexicon and the conceptual tools of political science, as can be acquired by attending an undergraduate course in Political Science or Comparative Politics.
Teaching Methods
Face-to-face lectures, unless the situation due to the Covid pandemic should require moving to online teaching. In this case, live-streamed lectures will be preferred. The course is not expected to include seminar activities.
Assessment Methods
Oral exam. Students are expected to show: 1) complete and accurate knowledge of the exam paper; 2) the capacity to treat concepts analytically; 3) originality in the critical re-elaboration of the contents of the course.
Texts
S.P. Huntington, Ordine politico e cambiamento sociale, Rubbettino, Soveria Mannelli, 2012
Contents
The course presents an institutionalist approach to the study of large-scale political change. The interpretative framework is grounded on the concept of political institutionalization, regarded as useful for the understanding of the problems arising in the relations between a system of government and its society. A detailed list of the topics will include: 1) The nature of the political order 2) The value of the political order 3) The form and strength of the government 4) The concept of political institution 5) The strength of political institutions 6) Political institutionalization 7) ‘Civic’ political systems 8) Praetorian political systems 9) The forms of political change; coup 10) The forms of political change: reform 11) The forms of political change: revolution 12) Political change and social change
Course Language
Italian
More information
Students receipt will be by appointment, writing to francesco.battegazzorre@unipv.it
