Contemporary Political Systems 2105-PP-L-D1WSPO
1 The concept of political system. Subsystem in the Political System. The environment of the political system.
2. The constitutional principles of the states of the European Union. Principle of sovereignty of the nation. Principle of pluralism; traditional pluralism (France, Italy, Poland), institutionalized pluralism (Austria, Sweden, Netherlands, Slovenia): principle of separation of powers -European model.
3. Constitutions of the European Union countries. Genesis and development of constitutionalism. Continental model of the constitution, Scandinavian model
(Sweden), Anglo-Saxon model (Great Britain).
4. electoral systems of the European Union countries. Historical development and democratization of electoral law. Deformations of the electoral act.
Majority system (Great Britain, France). Proportional system (Scandinavian countries, Belgium, Spain). Mixed system (WEST GERMANY).
5 Head of state in European countries. Monarch and president - sources of legitimacy and powers.
6 Parliament in the European Union countries. Position of the Parliament, unicameral (Scandinavian countries) and bicameral parliaments. Organization
Parliament, competencies.
7 Government and government administration in the European Union countries. Structure and competencies of governments. British model (government and cabinet). Model Scandinavian model. Continental model.
8 Political parties and party systems in the European Union countries. The concept of a political party and party system. Types of political parties and party systems.
9. Interest groups in the countries of the European Union. The concept of interest groups. Types of interest groups. Trade unions. Associations
Employers.
10. Systems of government of European Union countries. Parliamentary and presidential systems. Parliamentary-cabinet systems (Italy, Belgium, Poland, Lithuania), cabinet-parliamentary (United Kingdom), mixed systems (France, Finland).
Course coordinators
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student:
- has a basic knowledge of the nature of the political systems of the European Union member states, in particular, the relations taking place within the subsystems in the political system of the state|: institutional, normative, relational, functional.(K_W01)
- Has knowledge of the competencies of national bodies and institutions within the framework of European policies
- has the ability to observe, interpret, analyze and describe political processes and related socio-economic transformations within the European Union member states and recognises the importance of acquiring knowledge and work experience throughout the life of. (K_U01)
- is able to solve specific problems in the field of functioning of political systems, as well as to formulate appropriate solutions. (K_U07), (K_U08)
- is able to prepare written assignments in Polish and English dealing with issues of political systems, as well as acquire information relevant to the Europeanist formula for studying the functioning of these systems. (K_U09), (K_U10)
- is able to interact and cooperate in a group carrying out research tasks related to political systems of states and recognizes the importance of acquiring knowledge and professional experience throughout life. (K_K01), (K_K02), (K_K03)
Assessment criteria
Written exam (test on the problems raised during the lecture). In the case of holding a simulated parliamentary debate and receiving a sufficient grade, the final grade for the lecture is the test grade. In the case of a good grade is the grade from the test increased by half a grade, in the case of a very good grade by the whole grade.
The final grade for the course is the average of the grades from the lecture and exercises, provided that both parts are passed with a passing grade.
Bibliography
1 Almond G. A., Powell, G. B.. Comparative Politics today, Birmingham 1995.
2. Antoszewski A., Herbut R., Political systems of contemporary Europe, PWN 2005.
3. Antoszewski A., Herbut A., Political systems of the modern world, Wrocław 2005.
4. Colomer J. M., Political Institutions in Europe, London 1996.
5. Domagała M. (ed.), Constitutional systems of government, Warsaw 1997.
6 Eagles M., Johnston L., Politics. An introduction to modern Democratic Government, London 1995.
7. Gallagher M., Representative Government in Modern Europe, London 1995.
8. Hartmann J., Westliche Regierungsysteme, Opladen 2000.
9. Ismayr W. (hrsg), Die politischen Systeme Westeuropas, Opladen 1999.
10. Lamentowicz W., The modern state, Warsaw 1992.
11. Mény Y., Knapp A., Government and politics in western Europe, Oxford 1999.
12. Rhodes M., Heywood P., Wincent Wright, Developments in West European Politics, London 1997.
13. Smith G., Political life in Western Europe, Warsaw 1992.
14. Steiner J., European democracies, Rzeszow 1993.
15 Ulicka G., Western democracies, Warsaw 1992.
16. Wojtaszczyk K. A., Compendium of knowledge about the modern state, Warsaw 2000.
17. Wojtaszczyk K. A., Political parties in a democratic state, Warsaw 1999.
18. Wojtaszczyk K. A., Contemporary political systems, Warsaw 1999.
19. Wojtaszczyk K. A (ed.), EU Member States, Warsaw 2006.
20. Żukowski A., Electoral systems – introduction, Olsztyn 1999.
21. Wojtaszczyk K.A., Political systems of European Union countries, Warsaw 2012
22. Antoszewski A., Herbut R. (ed.) Western European democracies. Comparative analysis, Wrocław 2008
23. Żmigrodzki M, Dziemidok-Olszewska B, (ed), Contemporary Political Systems, Warsaw 2022
Additional information
Additional information (registration calendar, class conductors, localization and schedules of classes), might be available in the USOSweb system: