Comparative Politics

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One of the central themes of comparative politics is the study of political institutions, including constitutions, electoral systems, legislatures, judiciaries, and bureaucracies. Comparative analysis of political institutions can reveal the strengths and weaknesses of different governance systems, as well as the conditions that promote or hinder effective decision-making and democratic participation. For example, the comparison of electoral systems across different countries can provide insights into the ways in which electoral rules affect voter behavior, party competition, and representation.

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  • The impact of different electoral systems on party systems
  • The role of civil society in promoting democratic norms and practices
  • Comparative analysis of the welfare state in advanced industrial democracies
  • The effect of gender quotas on political representation
  • Comparative study of judicial activism and judicial restraint in different legal systems
  • The relationship between economic development and political liberalization
  • The role of political culture in shaping democratic consolidation
  • The impact of decentralization on political power and accountability
  • The politics of immigration and border control in different countries
  • Comparative analysis of public opinion and political behavior in different societies
  • The role of the media in shaping political opinion and decision-making
  • The impact of globalization on state sovereignty and power
  • Comparative study of civil-military relations in different societies
  • The relationship between natural resources and political stability
  • The impact of international organizations on domestic politics
  • Comparative analysis of federalism and unitary states
  • The role of interest groups in shaping policy outcomes
  • The impact of constitutional design on political stability and democratic consolidation
  • Comparative study of party systems in new democracies
  • The relationship between corruption and economic development
  • Comparative analysis of populist movements and parties
  • The role of religion in shaping political behavior and attitudes
  • The impact of demographic change on politics and policy
  • Comparative study of authoritarian regimes and their stability
  • The impact of regime change on economic development and political stability
  • Comparative analysis of social movements and political change
  • The role of identity politics in shaping political outcomes
  • The impact of colonial legacies on contemporary politics
  • Comparative study of labor relations in different societies
  • The impact of environmental policy on political outcomes
  • Comparative analysis of the role of the state in economic development
  • The impact of trade agreements on domestic politics and policy
  • Comparative study of regional integration and its effects on politics and policy
  • The role of civil conflict in shaping political outcomes
  • The impact of digital technologies on political communication and decision-making
  • Comparative analysis of the relationship between democracy and development
  • The impact of immigration on political attitudes and behavior
  • Comparative study of the politics of welfare reform in different societies
  • The role of international norms and values in shaping domestic politics and policy
  • Comparative analysis of the politics of energy policy
  • The impact of social media on political mobilization and participation
  • Comparative study of political parties and their strategies for gaining and maintaining power
  • The impact of globalization on income inequality and political conflict
  • Comparative analysis of the politics of trade and protectionism
  • The role of ethnic and linguistic diversity in shaping political outcomes
  • Comparative study of the role of women in politics and policy-making
  • The impact of digital surveillance on civil liberties and political participation
  • Comparative analysis of the politics of climate change
  • The role of education in shaping political attitudes and behavior
  • Comparative study of the politics of healthcare reform in different societies.

Another key theme of comparative politics is the study of political culture and ideology. Political culture refers to the attitudes, values, and beliefs that shape political behavior and institutions, while ideology is a set of beliefs and principles that guide political action. Comparative analysis of political culture and ideology can reveal the sources of political conflict, the roots of political stability, and the factors that influence political change. For example, the comparison of the political cultures of liberal democracies and authoritarian regimes can help us understand the role of civic values and civil society in promoting democratic norms and practices.

A third important theme of comparative politics is the study of political economy, which explores the relationship between politics and economics. Comparative analysis of political economy can reveal the ways in which economic structures and processes influence political decision-making and outcomes, as well as the ways in which political institutions and actors shape economic development and growth. For example, the comparison of economic policies across different countries can provide insights into the conditions that promote or hinder economic growth, and the role of state intervention in economic affairs.

Finally, comparative politics also explores the dynamics of power and conflict within and between political systems. This theme encompasses the study of political parties, interest groups, social movements, and other political actors, as well as the causes and consequences of political violence and conflict. Comparative analysis of power and conflict can reveal the sources of political legitimacy, the strategies used by political actors to gain and maintain power, and the factors that contribute to political instability and violence. For example, the comparison of ethnic and religious conflict across different countries can help us understand the role of identity politics in shaping political outcomes.

In conclusion, comparative politics is a vital subfield of political science that helps us understand and explain the similarities and differences between political systems and their structures, processes, and actors. By examining political institutions, culture and ideology, political economy, and power and conflict, comparative politics sheds light on the conditions that promote or hinder effective governance, democratic participation, and economic growth, as well as the factors that contribute to political instability and conflict. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected and complex, the study of comparative politics is more important than ever in helping us navigate the challenges and opportunities of the global political landscape.

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Research Topics & Ideas: Politics

100+ Politics-Related Research Ideas To Fast-Track Your Project

Political science research topics and ideas

Finding and choosing a strong research topic is the critical first step when it comes to crafting a high-quality dissertation or thesis. If you’ve landed on this post, chances are you’re looking for a politics-related research topic , but aren’t sure where to start. Here, we’ll explore a variety of politically-related research ideas across a range of disciplines, including political theory and philosophy, comparative politics, international relations, public administration and policy.

NB – This is just the start…

The topic ideation and evaluation process has multiple steps . In this post, we’ll kickstart the process by sharing some research topic ideas. This is the starting point, but to develop a well-defined research topic, you’ll need to identify a clear and convincing research gap , along with a well-justified plan of action to fill that gap.

If you’re new to the oftentimes perplexing world of research, or if this is your first time undertaking a formal academic research project, be sure to check out our free dissertation mini-course. Also, be sure to sign up for our free webinar that explores how to find a high-quality research topic from scratch.

Overview: Politics-Related Topics

  • Political theory and philosophy
  • Comparative politics
  • International relations
  • Public administration
  • Public policy
  • Examples of politics-related dissertations

Topics & Ideas: Political Theory

  • An analysis of the impact of feminism on political theory and the concept of citizenship in Saudi Arabia in the context of Vision 2030
  • A comparative study of the political philosophies of Marxism and liberalism and their influence on modern politics
  • An examination of how the Covid-19 pandemic affected the relationship between individual freedom and collective responsibility in political philosophy
  • A study of the impact of race and ethnicity on French political philosophy and the concept of justice
  • An exploration of the role of religion in political theory and its impact on secular democracy in the Middle East
  • A Review of Social contract theory, comparative analysis of the political philosophies of Hobbes, Locke, and Rousseau
  • A study of the concept of the common good in political philosophy and its relevance to the ongoing refugee crisis in Europe
  • An examination of the relationship between political power and the rule of law in developing African countries
  • A study of the impact of postmodernism on political theory and the concept of truth, a case study of the US
  • An exploration of the role of virtue in political philosophy and its impact on the assessment of moral character in political leaders

Research topic idea mega list

Topics & Ideas: Comparative Politics

  • A comparative study of different models of federalism and their impact on democratic governance: A case Study of South American federalist states
  • The impact of ethnic and religious diversity on political stability and democracy in developing countries, a review of literature from Africa
  • An analysis of the role of civil society in promoting democratic change in autocratic regimes: A case study in Sweden
  • A comparative examination of the impact of globalization on political institutions and processes in South America and Africa.
  • A study of the factors that contribute to successful democratization in authoritarian regimes, a review of the role of Elite-driven democratization
  • A comparison of the political and economic systems of China and India and their impact on social development
  • The impact of corruption on political institutions and democracy in South East Asia, a critical review
  • A comparative examination of the impact of majoritarian representation (winner-take-all) vs proportional representation on political representation and governance
  • An exploration of Multi-party systems in democratic countries and their impact on minority representation and policy-making.
  • A study of the factors that contribute to successful decentralization and regional autonomy, a case study of Spain

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Topics & Ideas: International Relations

  • A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of diplomacy and military force in resolving international conflicts in Central Africa.
  • The impact of globalization on the sovereignty of nation-states and the changing nature of international politics, a review of the role of Multinational Corporations
  • An examination of the role of international aid organizations in promoting peace, security, and development in the Middle East.
  • A study of the impact of economic interdependence on the likelihood of conflict in international relations: A critical review of weaponized interdependence
  • A comparative analysis of the foreign policies of the EU and the US and their impact on international stability in Africa
  • An exploration of the relationship between international human rights and national sovereignty during the Covid 19 pandemic
  • A study of the role of decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO)s in international politics and their impact on state behaviour
  • A comparative analysis of the effectiveness of international regimes in addressing global challenges such as climate change, arms control, and terrorism in Brazil
  • An examination of the impact of the rise of BRICS on the international system and global governance
  • A study of the role of ideology in shaping the foreign policies of states and the dynamics of international relations in the US

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Tops & Ideas: Public Administration

  • An analysis of the impact of digital technology on public administration and the delivery of public services in Estonia
  • A review of models of public-private partnerships and their impact on the delivery of public services in Ghana
  • An examination of the role of civil society organizations in monitoring and accountability of public administration in Papua New Guinea
  • A study of the impact of environmentalism as a political ideology on public administration and policy implementation in Germany
  • An exploration of the relationship between public administration and citizen engagement in the policy-making process, an exploration of gender identity concerns in schools
  • A comparative analysis of the efficiency and effectiveness of public administration, decentralisation and pay and employment reform in developing countries
  • A study of the role of collaborative leadership in public administration and its impact on organizational performance
  • A systematic review of the challenges and opportunities related to diversity and inclusion in police services
  • A study of the impact of corrupt public administration on economic development and regional growth in Eastern Europe
  • An exploration of the relationship between public administration and civil rights and liberties, including issues related to privacy and surveillance, a case study in South Korea

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Topics & Ideas: Public Policy

  • An analysis of the impacts of public policy on income inequality and poverty reduction in South Sudan
  • A comparative study of the effectiveness of legal and regulatory, economic and financial, and social and cultural instruments for addressing climate change in South Korea
  • An examination of the role of interest groups in shaping public policy and the policy-making process regarding land-use claims
  • A study of the impact of globalization on the development of public policies and programs for mitigating climate change in Singapore
  • An exploration of the relationship between public policy and social justice in tertiary education in the UAE
  • A comparative analysis of the impact of health policies for the management of diabetes on access to healthcare and health outcomes in developing countries
  • Exploring the role of evidence-based policymaking in the design and implementation of public policies for the management of invasive invertebrates in Australia
  • An examination of the challenges and opportunities of implementing educational dietary public policies in developing multicultural countries
  • A study of the impact of public policies on urbanization and urban development in rural Indonesia
  • An exploration of the role of media and public opinion in shaping public policy and the policy-making process in the transport industry of Malaysia

Examples: Politics Dissertations & Theses

While the ideas we’ve presented above are a decent starting point for finding a politics-related research topic, they are fairly generic and non-specific. So, it helps to look at actual dissertations and theses to see how this all comes together.

Below, we’ve included a selection of research projects from various politics-related degree programs to help refine your thinking. These are actual dissertations and theses, written as part of Master’s and PhD-level programs, so they can provide some useful insight as to what a research topic looks like in practice.

  • We, the Righteous Few: Immoral Actions of Fellow Partisans are Judged as Less Possible (Varnam, 2020)
  • Civilizing the State: Civil Society and the Politics of Primary Public Health Care Provision in Urban Brazil (Gibson, 2012)
  • Political regimes and minority language policies: evidence from Taiwan and southeast Asia (Wu, 2021)
  • The Feminist Third Wave: Social Reproduction, Feminism as Class Struggle, and Contemporary Women’s Movements (Angulo, 2019)
  • The Politics of Immigration under Authoritarianism (Joo, 2019)
  • The politics of digital platforms: Sour Dictionary, activist subjectivities, and contemporary cultures of resistance (Okten, 2019)
  • Vote choice and support for diverse candidates on the Boston City Council At-Large (Dolcimascolo, 2022)
  • The city agenda: local governance and national influence in the policy agenda, 1900-2020 (Shannon, 2022)
  • Turf wars: who supported measures to criminalize homelessness in Austin, Texas? (Bompiedi, 2021)
  • Do BITs Cause Opposition Between Investor Rights and Environmental Protection? (Xiong, 2022)
  • Revealed corruption and electoral accountability in Brazil: How politicians anticipate voting behavior (Diaz, 2021)
  • Intersectional Solidarity: The Political Consequences of a Consciousness of Race, Gender and Sexuality (Crowder, 2020)
  • The Congressional Hispanic Caucus and the Coalitional Representation of Latinxs in the U.S. House of Representatives (Munoz, 2019)

Looking at these titles, you can probably pick up that the research topics here are quite specific and narrowly-focused , compared to the generic ones presented earlier. In other words, to create a top-notch research topic, you must be precise and target a specific context with specific variables of interest . In other words, you need to identify a clear, well-justified research gap.

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If you’re still feeling a bit unsure about how to find a research topic for your dissertation or research project, check out our Topic Kickstarter service below.

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Political Concepts

CfP: Challenges to Comparative Politics – new topics, concepts and methods

Sektion Vergleichende Politikwissenschaft

Digitale Jahrestagung

4. Oktober 2021, per zoom

Call for Papers:

Challenges to Comparative Politics – new topics, concepts and methods

Comparative Politics currently faces numerous challenges, as it has been emphasized by one important figure of the discipline recently. As Philippe Schmitter states, “Comparative Politics “should not and will not be the same as in the past”. He further underlines that “comparison is an analytical method that is probably the best available to promote valid and cumulative knowledge about policy, [but] […] comparison has always had a practical objective, namely to provide useful descriptive information on how policies are conducted in countries other than one’s own” (Schmitter 2016: 398). And it is precisely at this point that the current challenges are situated: the classical research subjects and fields of Comparative Politics are currently undergoing fundamental changes.

Policial Science faces phenomena such as the breakdown of classical political systems and Western Party systems, a worldwide rise of populism, new social movements fighting against democracy, a renationalization, and an increasing role of diversity both in politics and societies. This also means that the classical research topics of Comparative Politics, but also established tools and approaches of analysis are put to a test.  Approaches that are based on the idea of separated nation states have difficulties grasping global transnational interdependencies. Eastonian political systems models and concepts of modern mass parties reach their limits when confronted with new social movements that use social media and refrain from classical ways of activism and partisanship. The need to take into account these changes in comparative analyses has significant implications for the research process. As a consequence, the methodological and theoretical challenges involved and possible solutions must be discussed (Simonis et al. 2010, Schmitter 2016).

This state of the art is the basis for the conference. Comparative Politics currently faces a number of new theoretical, conceptual and methodological challenges – the new task is to include the changes and new developments in politics and society sketched above into the research subjects, methods and research designs. At the same time, due to technical developments and more interdisciplinary openness, Comparative Politics has new data and methods at its disposal.

All this also puts established standards and traditions in Comparative Politics to a test, raising questions such as the following: Which (new) theories, concepts, methods and approaches are needed in order to tackle the new challenges? Do we want to explain the new phenomena, or is it first necessary to understand them? In what way do we need to broaden the established toolbox in Comparative Politics? To what extent and in which fields can we continue to largely rely on quantitative methods and research designs that focus on large-n studies and/or variable testing? What are the potentials and limits of using the broad variety of qualitative and interpretative methods, starting with expert interviews and ending with ethnography and participant observation? To what extent and in which direction do we need to take into account new and (recently) available data and methods? In what way will they influence the development of Comparative Politics and research question we will ask in the future? And to what extent is Comparative Politics influenced by a Northern and Western tradition of theorising and thinking? In what respect do we need to integrate Non-Western approaches more thoroughly?

The next conference of the Section for Comparative Political Science will provide the opportunity to discuss these questions, as well as the concrete challenges to Comparative Politics. We would like to discuss the themes and topics that are currently relevant for Comparative Politics, asking to what extent these are new and in what respect they differ from previous ones. Furthermore we aim at discussing the theoretical and conceptual implications as well as the methodological challenges that follow from the new constellation. To discuss these and related themes, we welcome submissions for closed or open panels on topics such as:

  • What are the current challenges to Comparative Politics – regarding topics, fields, approaches and new developments in politics?
  • What are the related conceptual challenges?
  • Which theoretical and methodological consequences follow from them?
  • Which new approaches and new topics are to be taken into account?

The conference will take place as a digital event on October 4 th , 2021.

The speakers of the Section as well as the DVPW Board would particularly like to give young scientists the opportunity to participate in DVPW events; we also would like to encourage women to actively participate in our conference.

We would be very pleased about your abstracts submissions up to june 30th, 2021 . Please send them to the following address: [email protected]

Schmitter, C. Philippe. 2016. Comparative Politics: its Past, Present and Future. Chinese Political Science Review 1: 397-411.

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POLS 330: Topics in Comparative Politics (HC)

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            A  UNAMID peacekeeper speaks with a woman in a refugee camp in Dafur, Sept. 2018 (Source: flickr - Setyo Budi (UNAMID)

This guide focuses on the topics in your course and outlines research strategies and resources for the work you are doing.  Use the searches and linked examples as jumping off points for exploration.  

Use the Background page  to help in developing research questions and understanding the broader context for your specific topics.  Journal Articles and Books will give you material for analysis and comparison.  Further, more specific types of resources are outlined in the pages for Reports, Research Groups & Data  and News .

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Background resources, country profiles, key subject databases, comparative politics data resources.

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Comparative Politics 

Comparative politics is the comparative study of other countries, citizens, different political units either in whole or in part, and analyzes the similarities and differences between those political units. Comparative politics also entails the political study of non-US political thought. Here are a few tips when choosing resources for comparative political research:

  • Use a  subject encyclopedia  to research major comparative political theories and concepts.
  • Use  country profiles  to locate basic information, facts, and statistics about individual countries.
  • Search for research articles in a general article database such as EBSCO Discovery .  
  • Use a subject database such as PAIS to locate political-specific articles.
  • International Encyclopedia of Political Science The International Encyclopedia of Political Science provides a definitive, comprehensive picture of all aspects of political life, recognizing the theoretical and cultural pluralism of our approaches and including findings from the far corners of the world. The eight volumes cover every field of politics, from political theory and methodology to political sociology, comparative politics, public policies, and international relations.
  • The Oxford Companion to Comparative Politics The Oxford Companion to Comparative Politics focuses on the major theories, concepts, and conclusions that define the field, analyzing the similarities and differences between political units. Entries cover such topics as failed states, grand strategies, soft power, capital punishment, gender and politics, and totalitarianism, as well as countries such as China and Afghanistan.

This section includes databases that provide detailed profiles of most countries worldwide. Country profiles include basic country facts and figures such as population, capitol cities and so on. They also provide brief summaries of geography, environment, history, current politics and economics.

  • BBC News Country Profiles Full profiles provide an instant guide to history, politics and economic background of countries and territories, and background on key institutions.They also include audio and video clips from BBC archives.
  • CIA World Factbook Developed by the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency, the World Factbook offers updated country profiles providing information on the history, people, government, economy, geography, communications, transportation, military and transnational issues for 267 world nations. The website provides a comprehensive collection of world maps that can be freely downloaded. Also includes a Guide to Country Comparisons. Categories include, geography, people and society, the economy, communications, transportation and military. Information can be downloaded into data files.

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  • Europa World Yearbook This link opens in a new window Europa World Yearbook provides profiles for over 250 countries and territories. Profiles include political and economic information as well as statistics and information on religion, media and press.
  • Political Risk Yearbook and CountryData This link opens in a new window Political Risk Yearbook provides political risk reports for the current year for many countries. CountryData allows users to generate exportable tables with political risk rankings and economic indicators for current and historical years, as well as current forecasts, for various countries. More information less... Country Data is available on campus only. Use NYU VPN for off-campus access.
  • World Bank Country Profiles Country profiles prepared by World Bank staff are available for 157 nations. Sites provides direct links to the World Bank data catalog for each country along with access to the latest publications, news items, and development topics published by, or related to, World Bank operations.
  • Statesman's Yearbook Online This link opens in a new window The Statesman's Yearbook provides information on international affairs, covering key historical events, population, city profiles, social statistics, climate, recent elections, current leaders, defense, international relations, economy, energy and natural resources, industry, international trade, religion, culture, and diplomatic representatives, as well as fact sheets and more.
  • Congressional Research Service (CRS) Reports Country profiles and information documents prepared by the Congressional Research Service (CRS). CRS serves as nonpartisan shared staff to congressional committees and Members of Congress.

Subject-specific databases provide articles and resources solely within a specific discipline. This section lists the best political science databases providing coverage of scholarly literature across all major political science areas and sub-disciplines including comparative politics.

  • Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) This link opens in a new window Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) is a source for theory and research in international affairs. It includes scholarship, working papers from university research institutes, occasional papers series from NGOs, foundation-funded research projects, proceedings from conferences, books, journals, case studies for teaching, and policy briefs.
  • PAIS International This link opens in a new window PAIS International contains journal articles, books, government documents, statistical directories, grey literature, research reports, conference reports, publications of international agencies for public affairs, public and social policies, and international relations.
  • Policy File This link opens in a new window Policy FIle offers access to U.S. foreign and domestic policy papers and gray literature, with abstracts and links to timely reports, papers, and documents from think tanks, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research institutes, advocacy groups, agencies, and other entities.
  • ProQuest Political Science This link opens in a new window ProQuest Political Science gives users access to leading political science and international relations journals. This collection provides the full-text of core titles, many of which are indexed in Worldwide Political Science Abstracts. New to ProQuest Political Science are hundreds of recent, full-text, political science dissertations from U.S. and Canadian universities, as well as thousands of current working papers from the Political Science Research Network.
  • Worldwide Political Science Abstracts This link opens in a new window Worldwide Political Science Abstracts provides citations, abstracts, and indexing of the international serials literature in political science and its complementary fields, including international relations, law, and public administration.
  • Comparative Study of Electoral Systems The Comparative Study of Electoral Systems (CSES) is a collaborative program of cross-national research among election studies conducted in over fifty states.
  • Comparative Political Dataset The "Comparative Political Data Set" (CPDS) is a collection of political and institutional country-level data provided by Prof. Dr. Klaus Armingeon and collaborators at the University of Berne. It consists of annual data for 36 democratic countries for the period of 1960 to 2014 or since their transition to democracy.
  • Eurostat Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union, provides statistics at the European level that enable comparisons between countries and regions. Users can bulk download tables and access full metadata and documentation for data that measures indicators across a range of socio-demographic and economic indicators.
  • The Quality of Government (QOG) Institute The QOG Institute at the University of Gothenburg studies good governance and corruption on a global scale. QoG provides a range of datasets available for free, and data visualization tools. QoG Standard Dataset contains the most qualitative variables from the Standard Dataset. The QoG Expert Survey is a dataset based on our survey of experts on public administration around the world, available in an individual dataset and an aggregated dataset covering 107 countries.The QoG OECD dataset covers countries who are members of the OECD. The EU Regional Data consists of 450 variables from Eurostat and other sources, covering three levels of European regions - country, major socio-economic regions and basic regions for the application of regional policies.
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A New Handbook of Political Science

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12 Comparative Politics: An Overview

  • Published: September 1998
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Provides an overview of the field of comparative politics, tracing changes from abstraction and generalization to mid‐level analysis caused by changes in methodological techniques. Restriction in scope has led to institutional specificities and the analysis of the political as an independent variable. Key questions now relate to what politics does rather than what politics is . Specialization, internationalization, and professionalism are the new watchwords of comparative politics. Methodological consequences and issues are discussed.

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Political Science

  • Reference and Background Resources
  • Journal Articles & Books
  • Legislative Documents
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  • Judicial Documents

Comparative Politics

  • Conflict, Peace, & Security

Country Profiles

  • Elections and Voting
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Introduction │  Key Reference   │ Country Profiles  │ Subject Databases │ Data Resources

Introduction

Key reference.

  • International Encyclopedia of Political Science: Comparative Politics Provides a definitive, comprehensive picture of all aspects of political life. The eight volumes cover every field of politics, from political theory and methodology to political sociology, comparative politics, public policies, and international relations.
  • The Oxford Companion to Comparative Politics Focuses on the major theories, concepts, and conclusions that define the field of comparative politics, analyzing the similarities and differences between political units. Entries cover such topics as failed states, grand strategies, soft power, capital punishment, gender and politics, and totalitarianism, as well as countries such as China and Afghanistan.
  • The SAGE Handbook of Comparative Politics The SAGE Handbook of Comparative Politics presents in one volume an authoritative overview of the theoretical, methodological, and substantive elements of comparative political science. The 28 specially commissioned chapters, written by renowned comparative scholars, guide the reader through the central issues and debates, presenting a state-of-the-art guide to the past, present, and possible futures of the field.

Country profiles include basic facts and figures including political, economic, and statistical information about the world's countries and territories. They also provide summaries of geography, demographics, history, and current political events.

Available to Public

  • CQ Press Political Handbook of the World Provides country-by-country data (e.g., population, languages) as well as detailed information about political history, politics, social movements, economics, and current issues.
  • EMIS Professional (Emerging Markets Information Service) Provides country information on Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and the Middle East. Includes country profiles; macroeconomic statistics, forecasts, and analysis; reports on financial markets, companies, and industries; exchange rates; analyst reports; and business news.
  • Europa World Plus Europa World Plus is the online version of the famous reference source, Europa World Year Book. It provides political, economic, and historical information, including statistics, for over 250 countries and territories.  Europa World Plus also contains the nine-volume Europa Regional Surveys of the World series.  
  • FitchConnect Although primarily used in the fields of business and economics, FitchConnect also provides in-depth political risk ratings and analysis, including 10-year forecasts. Each report includes a "Political SWOT" (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats) assessment of current political events and a "Political Outlook" section.
  • The Statesman's Yearbook The Statesman's Yearbook provides information on international affairs, covering key historical events, population, city profiles, social statistics, climate, recent elections, current leaders, defense, international relations, economy, energy and natural resources, industry, international trade, religion, culture, and diplomatic representatives, as well as fact sheets and more.

Subject Databases

  • Columbia International Affairs Online (CIAO) A source for theory and research in international affairs. It includes scholarship, working papers from university research institutes, occasional papers series from NGOs, foundation-funded research projects, proceedings from conferences, books, journals, case studies for teaching, and policy briefs.
  • PAIS PAIS contains journal articles, books, government documents, statistical directories, grey literature, research reports, conference reports, publications of international agencies for public affairs, public and social policies, and international relations.
  • Policy File Provides online access to abstracts and full-text articles on public policy research and analysis from think tanks, university research programs, research organizations, and publishers. Offers access to U.S. foreign and domestic policy papers and gray literature, with abstracts and links to timely reports, papers, and documents from think tanks, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), research institutes, advocacy groups, agencies, and other entities.
  • Worldwide Political Science Abstracts Provides citations, abstracts, and indexing of the international serials literature in political science and its complementary fields, including international relations, law, and public administration. 67% of the more than 1500 monitored journals are published outside the United States, and there are nearly 500,000 records beginning in 1975. Some of the records have full-text links and coverage including all aspects of political science, as well as international relations and comparative politics.

Comparative Political Data Resources

  • The Berggruen Governance Index The Berggruen Governance Index Project is a collaborative project between the UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs and the Berggruen Institute. The current iteration of the Index examines the performance of 134 countries in key areas over a 20-year period to advance our understanding of why some countries are better managed and enjoy a higher quality of life than others. The index analyzes the relationship between democratic accountability, state capacity, and the provision of goods to serve public needs.
  • OECD iLibrary (Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development) The OECD iLibrary provides comparative economic and political statistics and data coverage of 38 OECD countries including development, education, energy, environment, technology, and social issues.
  • ParlGov - Parliaments and Governments Database ParlGov contains comparative statistical data and information for all EU and most OECD democracies (37 countries).
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  • Winter 2019

POL S 332 A: Topics in Comparative Politics

Syllabus description:.

JSIS A 302: COALITION GOVERNMENTS IN WESTERN EUROPE

Course Description:

In most parliamentary systems governments rely on a majority in the parliament. In multi-party systems, where no single party commands a majority of seats, parties need to form coalitions to install a stable government. Coalition governments are a regular feature in Western European states and they come in many different shades. Coalitions are studied extensively because the ability of parties to balance conflict and cooperation tells us a lot about how governments act (and even when they do not act). This course focuses on the institutional design of parliamentary systems and party competition in multi-party systems. We look at different theories and models, that try to explain which coalition forms after an election. We start with formal models and advance to more context-sensitive explanations. Beyond analyzing the crucial process of government formation, we inspect all phases of a coalition lifecycle: campaigns and coalition signals as a precursor to coalition negotiations after an election, coalition governance and management as well as reasons for coalition termination. We discuss the character of parties as fragmented, democratic organizations and how this effects the willingness to enter a government as coalition partner and we look at the logics of coalition strategies in a multi-level-setting or federally organized state. To conclude the course, we turn to selected recent and crucial cases of government formation in Germany, UK, Italy and Austria. These cases allow us to test our theoretical knowledge and to probe for certain national characteristics.

Course Goal:

This course is designed to provide an in-depth examination of parliamentary systems and logics of coalition formation in multi-party systems. Students know about party families, their policy positions and the distances to their competitors in Western Europe. They learn about theoretical perspectives on explaining cooperation of parties and through which instruments competing parties work together in a government coalition.

Assignments and Grading:

  • Class participation means regular and active involvement in class discussions, which is especially important for the success of a seminar like this one (10 % of your grade).
  • In groups of two or three prepare and hold a presentation on either the structure of a Western European party system with Manifesto-Project data (week 2) or one of the selected cases of recent coalition formations (week 8 -10). Presentations on party systems should visualize the current positions of the parties, categorize them along party families give a short overview of their development and talk about the cleavages defining the structure of party competition. Presentations on cases of coalition formation should touch the following points: institutional setting of country, characteristics of party system, topics in elections, election results, formation process, outcome (30 % of your grade)
  • Midterm: Pick a topic for your final research paper. You should do this by identifying a central question relating to an issue in coalition politics in Western Europe today. Start defining your topic, questions, and hypotheses and place them in the context of some of the reading that you have done. References to at least four books and two article sources beyond our assigned reading are essential for the midterm. Address your method and material, that is explain to the reader how you want to proceed about answering the question you have raised, what kind of research methods you intend to apply and what kinds of materials you want to use to solve your puzzle. Write an introduction of about 2 pages addressing these issues. The main body of the outline can be numbered/bulleted, reflecting a table of contents and a line of argument. Do a literature search on your topic and hand in a 5 pages / 1000 words outline with a bibliography that exceeds references from the syllabus by February 7 (pdf, double spaced, font size 12, page numbers, course nr./name/mail-address in page header). You have time to revise it and hand in a final version of the midterm by February 21. This final version of the midterm will account for 20% of your grade.
  • Based on the midterm paper, write your research paper (15 pages / 3000 words, font size 12, double spaced, including footnotes and bibliography), due Friday, March 22, in my mailbox (Thomson or Gowen Hall) or via e-mail. The research paper accounts for 40 % of your grade.

research question (clear, informed, precise)

structure (introduction, conceptual part, main empirical/analytical part, conclusion, bibliography)

topic focus (sufficiently narrow, connects to course contents)

integration of knowledge (application of theories, concepts, approaches from class)

depth of discussion (content knowledge and logical argument)

cohesiveness (line of argument, connection of chapters, answer to question)

spelling & grammar (polished and professional, proper format)

sources (relevant and sufficient)

citations (data/arguments cited, consistent style)

Please note that late assignments will NOT be accepted and make-up assignments will NOT be given except in cases of documented emergencies or with advance permission of the instructor. In the absence of these provisions late or missing assignments will receive a grad of “0”.

Required Readings:

The required readings are available as PDFs on the course’s website (UW canvas).

Grading Summary:

  • Active participation: 10 %
  • In-class presentations: 30 %
  • Midterm paper: 20 %
  • Term paper:             40 %

Academic Integrity:

Plagiarism and cheating are serious offenses. If you have questions regarding your work or what might constitute plagiarism on any of your written assignments, speak to me first. Any work turned in for this class must be original work (i.e. not used for any other class).

Students with Disabilities:

Your experience in this class is important to me. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), please communicate your approved accommodations to me at your earliest convenience so we can discuss your needs in this course.

If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a temporary health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), you are welcome to contact DRS at 206-543-8924 or [email protected] or disability.uw.edu.  DRS offers resources and coordinates reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities and/or temporary health conditions.  Reasonable accommodations are established through an interactive process between you, your instructor(s) and DRS. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law.

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Course info.

  • Prof. Chappell Lawson

Departments

  • Political Science

As Taught In

  • Political Philosophy
  • American Politics
  • Comparative Politics

Learning Resource Types

Introduction to comparative politics, assignments.

Papers focus on the topic of the week and are designed to ensure that you have grappled with that particular issue, including the material covered in lecture and associated readings. You will generally be using this material as a launching point, so I would assume that you will cite the readings and the lecture. It will be hard to do well on the papers without having done the readings, listened to lecture, and thought about how to synthesize the material. Avoid drawing on any readings that were not assigned in class or bringing in material from other classes ; those things will almost always be a distraction. Focus on what you have read for this subject only, the material I have presented, and the conversations we have had in class.

The biggest mistakes I commonly see on papers are (in descending order of frequency):

  • Lack of engagement with the readings and lecture, as they apply to the paper topic.
  • Drawing on random or tangential material and ideas from outside of the class.
  • Lack of clarity in argumentation, typically manifested in the absence of a cogent argument at the beginning and disorganized presentation of supporting statements, rather than a clear logic flow.
  • Not addressing potential counterarguments or tradeoffs.

Are states necessary? Desirable? What things should they do? What things should they be precluded from doing? Are there ways to make the state less intrusive or abusive, without losing the supposed benefits it provides?

This paper is due during session 5.

You live in the fictitious country of Compostela, which has approximately six million citizens (the median population of a modern nation-state, or about the number of people in Denmark, Nicaragua, Congo, Turkmenistan, or Singapore). Design the best system to select rulers for your country. This system should be premised on the notions of equality under the law and equal consideration – that is, each citizen is equally deserving of having their fundamental interests considered and would be treated the same by the justice system. However, you do not have to give everyone an equal say in the actual selection process (or at each stage in the selection process), nor do you have to give each person equal opportunity to become a leader. Be sure to articulate the issues at stake in each decision and the tradeoffs involved in different choices, rather than simply state your answer. How confident are you that your system will produce good rulers?

This paper is due during session 7.

Think of a country with which you are familiar. Now imagine that the legislature (or lower house of the legislature if there are two houses) will be elected under different rules. For instance, if they are currently chosen through plurality-winner elections, change the electoral formula to either preference voting, open-list proportional representation, or closed-list proportional representation. (If “your” country is not a democracy, assume it will magically become a democracy tomorrow.) Be sure to specify the details of your proposal (open list versus closed list, district magnitude, minimum threshold for representation in Parliament/Congress, etc.) Be sure also to consider potential perverse consequences of your reform. All told, do you recommend this reform? How much of a difference do you think it will make for governance?

P.S.  If you want to write about a different institutional choice, you can. But you should make sure to clear that first with the TA or me.

This paper is due during session 9.

2 or 3 pages.

Compostela is a country with a typical per capita income (about 1/7 th  as rich as the United States), population size (about 6 million people), land mass (about the size of Arizona), and ethnic divisions (about three quarters of the population is from one ethnolinguistic group but there are minority groups). How unitary should the state be?

This paper is due during session 10.

Note: A rewrite of this paper is due during session 12.

Is endorsement of political institutions (that is, everyone accepts the country’s constitution and the boundaries of the political community) and equality under the law sufficient to create the sort of national identity that you believe is desirable?

This paper is due during session 16.

How many refugees should be admitted each year as a percentage of Compostela’s current population (from 0% to 100%)? What conditions, if any, do you wish to set regarding the types of refugees the colony should accept? What mechanisms of integration for refugees should be created?

This paper is due during session 18.

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The Writing Center • University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Political Science

What this handout is about.

This handout will help you to recognize and to follow writing standards in political science. The first step toward accomplishing this goal is to develop a basic understanding of political science and the kind of work political scientists do.

Defining politics and political science

Political scientist Harold Laswell said it best: at its most basic level, politics is the struggle of “who gets what, when, how.” This struggle may be as modest as competing interest groups fighting over control of a small municipal budget or as overwhelming as a military stand-off between international superpowers. Political scientists study such struggles, both small and large, in an effort to develop general principles or theories about the way the world of politics works. Think about the title of your course or re-read the course description in your syllabus. You’ll find that your course covers a particular sector of the large world of “politics” and brings with it a set of topics, issues, and approaches to information that may be helpful to consider as you begin a writing assignment. The diverse structure of political science reflects the diverse kinds of problems the discipline attempts to analyze and explain. In fact, political science includes at least eight major sub-fields:

  • American politics examines political behavior and institutions in the United States.
  • Comparative politics analyzes and compares political systems within and across different geographic regions.
  • International relations investigates relations among nation states and the activities of international organizations such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and NATO, as well as international actors such as terrorists, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and multi-national corporations (MNCs).
  • Political theory analyzes fundamental political concepts such as power and democracy and foundational questions, like “How should the individual and the state relate?”
  • Political methodology deals with the ways that political scientists ask and investigate questions.
  • Public policy examines the process by which governments make public decisions.
  • Public administration studies the ways that government policies are implemented.
  • Public law focuses on the role of law and courts in the political process.

What is scientific about political science?

Investigating relationships.

Although political scientists are prone to debate and disagreement, the majority view the discipline as a genuine science. As a result, political scientists generally strive to emulate the objectivity as well as the conceptual and methodological rigor typically associated with the so-called “hard” sciences (e.g., biology, chemistry, and physics). They see themselves as engaged in revealing the relationships underlying political events and conditions. Based on these revelations, they attempt to state general principles about the way the world of politics works. Given these aims, it is important for political scientists’ writing to be conceptually precise, free from bias, and well-substantiated by empirical evidence. Knowing that political scientists value objectivity may help you in making decisions about how to write your paper and what to put in it.

Political theory is an important exception to this empirical approach. You can learn more about writing for political theory classes in the section “Writing in Political Theory” below.

Building theories

Since theory-building serves as the cornerstone of the discipline, it may be useful to see how it works. You may be wrestling with theories or proposing your own as you write your paper. Consider how political scientists have arrived at the theories you are reading and discussing in your course. Most political scientists adhere to a simple model of scientific inquiry when building theories. The key to building precise and persuasive theories is to develop and test hypotheses. Hypotheses are statements that researchers construct for the purpose of testing whether or not a certain relationship exists between two phenomena. To see how political scientists use hypotheses, and to imagine how you might use a hypothesis to develop a thesis for your paper, consider the following example. Suppose that we want to know whether presidential elections are affected by economic conditions. We could formulate this question into the following hypothesis:

“When the national unemployment rate is greater than 7 percent at the time of the election, presidential incumbents are not reelected.”

Collecting data

In the research model designed to test this hypothesis, the dependent variable (the phenomenon that is affected by other variables) would be the reelection of incumbent presidents; the independent variable (the phenomenon that may have some effect on the dependent variable) would be the national unemployment rate. You could test the relationship between the independent and dependent variables by collecting data on unemployment rates and the reelection of incumbent presidents and comparing the two sets of information. If you found that in every instance that the national unemployment rate was greater than 7 percent at the time of a presidential election the incumbent lost, you would have significant support for our hypothesis.

However, research in political science seldom yields immediately conclusive results. In this case, for example, although in most recent presidential elections our hypothesis holds true, President Franklin Roosevelt was reelected in 1936 despite the fact that the national unemployment rate was 17%. To explain this important exception and to make certain that other factors besides high unemployment rates were not primarily responsible for the defeat of incumbent presidents in other election years, you would need to do further research. So you can see how political scientists use the scientific method to build ever more precise and persuasive theories and how you might begin to think about the topics that interest you as you write your paper.

Clear, consistent, objective writing

Since political scientists construct and assess theories in accordance with the principles of the scientific method, writing in the field conveys the rigor, objectivity, and logical consistency that characterize this method. Thus political scientists avoid the use of impressionistic or metaphorical language, or language which appeals primarily to our senses, emotions, or moral beliefs. In other words, rather than persuade you with the elegance of their prose or the moral virtue of their beliefs, political scientists persuade through their command of the facts and their ability to relate those facts to theories that can withstand the test of empirical investigation. In writing of this sort, clarity and concision are at a premium. To achieve such clarity and concision, political scientists precisely define any terms or concepts that are important to the arguments that they make. This precision often requires that they “operationalize” key terms or concepts. “Operationalizing” simply means that important—but possibly vague or abstract—concepts like “justice” are defined in ways that allow them to be measured or tested through scientific investigation.

Fortunately, you will generally not be expected to devise or operationalize key concepts entirely on your own. In most cases, your professor or the authors of assigned readings will already have defined and/or operationalized concepts that are important to your research. And in the event that someone hasn’t already come up with precisely the definition you need, other political scientists will in all likelihood have written enough on the topic that you’re investigating to give you some clear guidance on how to proceed. For this reason, it is always a good idea to explore what research has already been done on your topic before you begin to construct your own argument. See our handout on making an academic argument .

Example of an operationalized term

To give you an example of the kind of rigor and objectivity political scientists aim for in their writing, let’s examine how someone might operationalize a term. Reading through this example should clarify the level of analysis and precision that you will be expected to employ in your writing. Here’s how you might define key concepts in a way that allows us to measure them.

We are all familiar with the term “democracy.” If you were asked to define this term, you might make a statement like the following:

“Democracy is government by the people.”

You would, of course, be correct—democracy is government by the people. But, in order to evaluate whether or not a particular government is fully democratic or is more or less democratic when compared with other governments, we would need to have more precise criteria with which to measure or assess democracy. For example, here are some criteria that political scientists have suggested are indicators of democracy:

  • Freedom to form and join organizations
  • Freedom of expression
  • Right to vote
  • Eligibility for public office
  • Right of political leaders to compete for support
  • Right of political leaders to compete for votes
  • Alternative sources of information
  • Free and fair elections
  • Institutions for making government policies depend on votes and other expressions of preference

If we adopt these nine criteria, we now have a definition that will allow us to measure democracy empirically. Thus, if you want to determine whether Brazil is more democratic than Sweden, you can evaluate each country in terms of the degree to which it fulfills the above criteria.

What counts as good writing in political science?

While rigor, clarity, and concision will be valued in any piece of writing in political science, knowing the kind of writing task you’ve been assigned will help you to write a good paper. Two of the most common kinds of writing assignments in political science are the research paper and the theory paper.

Writing political science research papers

Your instructors use research paper assignments as a means of assessing your ability to understand a complex problem in the field, to develop a perspective on this problem, and to make a persuasive argument in favor of your perspective. In order for you to successfully meet this challenge, your research paper should include the following components:

  • An introduction
  • A problem statement
  • A discussion of methodology
  • A literature review
  • A description and evaluation of your research findings
  • A summary of your findings

Here’s a brief description of each component.

In the introduction of your research paper, you need to give the reader some basic background information on your topic that suggests why the question you are investigating is interesting and important. You will also need to provide the reader with a statement of the research problem you are attempting to address and a basic outline of your paper as a whole. The problem statement presents not only the general research problem you will address but also the hypotheses that you will consider. In the methodology section, you will explain to the reader the research methods you used to investigate your research topic and to test the hypotheses that you have formulated. For example, did you conduct interviews, use statistical analysis, rely upon previous research studies, or some combination of all of these methodological approaches?

Before you can develop each of the above components of your research paper, you will need to conduct a literature review. A literature review involves reading and analyzing what other researchers have written on your topic before going on to do research of your own. There are some very pragmatic reasons for doing this work. First, as insightful as your ideas may be, someone else may have had similar ideas and have already done research to test them. By reading what they have written on your topic, you can ensure that you don’t repeat, but rather learn from, work that has already been done. Second, to demonstrate the soundness of your hypotheses and methodology, you will need to indicate how you have borrowed from and/or improved upon the ideas of others.

By referring to what other researchers have found on your topic, you will have established a frame of reference that enables the reader to understand the full significance of your research results. Thus, once you have conducted your literature review, you will be in a position to present your research findings. In presenting these findings, you will need to refer back to your original hypotheses and explain the manner and degree to which your results fit with what you anticipated you would find. If you see strong support for your argument or perhaps some unexpected results that your original hypotheses cannot account for, this section is the place to convey such important information to your reader. This is also the place to suggest further lines of research that will help refine, clarify inconsistencies with, or provide additional support for your hypotheses. Finally, in the summary section of your paper, reiterate the significance of your research and your research findings and speculate upon the path that future research efforts should take.

Writing in political theory

Political theory differs from other subfields in political science in that it deals primarily with historical and normative, rather than empirical, analysis. In other words, political theorists are less concerned with the scientific measurement of political phenomena than with understanding how important political ideas develop over time. And they are less concerned with evaluating how things are than in debating how they should be. A return to our democracy example will make these distinctions clearer and give you some clues about how to write well in political theory.

Earlier, we talked about how to define democracy empirically so that it can be measured and tested in accordance with scientific principles. Political theorists also define democracy, but they use a different standard of measurement. Their definitions of democracy reflect their interest in political ideals—for example, liberty, equality, and citizenship—rather than scientific measurement. So, when writing about democracy from the perspective of a political theorist, you may be asked to make an argument about the proper way to define citizenship in a democratic society. Should citizens of a democratic society be expected to engage in decision-making and administration of government, or should they be satisfied with casting votes every couple of years?

In order to substantiate your position on such questions, you will need to pay special attention to two interrelated components of your writing: (1) the logical consistency of your ideas and (2) the manner in which you use the arguments of other theorists to support your own. First, you need to make sure that your conclusion and all points leading up to it follow from your original premises or assumptions. If, for example, you argue that democracy is a system of government through which citizens develop their full capacities as human beings, then your notion of citizenship will somehow need to support this broad definition of democracy. A narrow view of citizenship based exclusively or primarily on voting probably will not do. Whatever you argue, however, you will need to be sure to demonstrate in your analysis that you have considered the arguments of other theorists who have written about these issues. In some cases, their arguments will provide support for your own; in others, they will raise criticisms and concerns that you will need to address if you are going to make a convincing case for your point of view.

Drafting your paper

If you have used material from outside sources in your paper, be sure to cite them appropriately in your paper. In political science, writers most often use the APA or Turabian (a version of the Chicago Manual of Style) style guides when formatting references. Check with your instructor if they have not specified a citation style in the assignment. For more information on constructing citations, see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial.

Although all assignments are different, the preceding outlines provide a clear and simple guide that should help you in writing papers in any sub-field of political science. If you find that you need more assistance than this short guide provides, refer to the list of additional resources below or make an appointment to see a tutor at the Writing Center.

Works consulted

We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.

Becker, Howard S. 2007. Writing for Social Scientists: How to Start and Finish Your Thesis, Book, or Article , 2nd ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

Cuba, Lee. 2002. A Short Guide to Writing About Social Science , 4th ed. New York: Longman.

Lasswell, Harold Dwight. 1936. Politics: Who Gets What, When, How . New York: McGraw-Hill.

Scott, Gregory M., and Stephen M. Garrison. 1998. The Political Science Student Writer’s Manual , 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.

Turabian, Kate. 2018. A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, Dissertations , 9th ed. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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Political Science Research Topics

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Political science plays an important role in how we shape the world around us. It offers insight into governments, political systems, public policies, international relations, and more. This makes it a broad subject to explore. But it can also be challenging to find a captivating political science research topic. 

To make things easier, we’ve collected multiple political science research paper topics that suit any taste and need. We made a step further and divided these ideas into accessible categories. Choose the area you are most interested in and get ready to find a bunch of political science research topics in your domain.

But first things first, let’s figure out what politics is all about.

What Are Political Science Research Topics?

Politics is the study of governments, public policies, and political processes. It investigates how societies make decisions. Political science also examines how decisions affect people, both on a small scale, like a neighborhood, and on a global scale, like international relations.

Political science research paper topics can range widely within this discipline. Depending on your interests and goals, you could explore anything from voting behavior to gender equality in politics. You can also study global diplomatic relations, electoral systems, or the influence of media on political outcomes.

Characteristics of Good Political Science Research Paper Topics

Politics shapes our world in myriad ways. Every aspect of it bears relevance and offers a platform for thoughtful discourse, making it a fertile field for academic exploration.

However, good political science topics aren’t just about selecting a subject itself. Great ideas require elements of intrigue, relevance, and potential for in-depth examination, all while showcasing your input. So, what should you consider while choosing between different political research topics? Well, your passion and expertise are pivotal. Your topic should resonate with your interests and align with your academic focus.

Here's a brief overview of characteristics that make up engaging political science research topics:

  • Relevant and contemporary
  • Balanced in its scope
  • Well-documented and containing enough material
  • Interesting to you as well as your readers
  • Suitable for follow-up studies and/or additional research.

How to Choose a Political Science Research Topic?

Stumped about which political science topic to choose for your research paper? It's a common dilemma for many students. You shouldn’t just pick a theme. You must ensure that your topic sustains your interest, meets academic requirements, and resonates with your audience.

No need to stress, though! This blog is here to help you navigate these tricky waters. Our online essay writer team has shared these step-by-step guidelines to help you choose a successful topic for your political science paper:

  • Start with something you’re passionate about. Your enthusiasm and interest will animate the project and guide you to success.
  • Come up with an original idea that hasn’t been explored in depth before or is still relevant today.
  • Find something that’s timely and engaging to a wider audience. This should be something that people care about and are actively discussing.
  • Look for hidden connections, patterns, and solutions. Make sure your political science research topic is complex enough to ensure in-depth research.
  • Gather the necessary materials beforehand. Ensure availability of information before you begin analyzing your theme.

List of Political Science Research Topics

Before you plunge into our expertly compiled list, remember to double-check your instructor's guidelines. Aligning your choice with your course requirements is vital. Now, prepare to browse through the most captivating politics research topics that could be the launchpad for your future paper.

  • Understanding democracy: An evolving concept.
  • Rise of populism in 21st-century politics.
  • Climate change and global governance.
  • Role of United Nations: Effectiveness and criticisms.
  • Politics behind nuclear disarmament.
  • Influence of social media on political campaigns.
  • Immigration policies: A comparative study.
  • Human rights and foreign policy.
  • Impact of political instability on economic growth.
  • Cybersecurity in international relations.
  • Decoding political symbolism in public spaces.
  • Feminism and its political impact.
  • Role of youth in politics.
  • Is healthcare a political issue?
  • Examining political bias in media.

Easy Political Science Research Topics

While the field of political science can seem intricate, there are areas within it that are more accessible, yet equally intriguing. If you're new to the discipline or prefer less complex issues, this list of simple political science paper topics could be your go-to. Each topic is designed to offer an easy entry point into political science, but still, provide room for critical analysis .

  • Defining basic political ideologies: Liberalism, Conservatism, and Socialism.
  • How does voting work? An overview.
  • Impact of political cartoons on public opinion.
  • Presidential vs. parliamentary systems.
  • Role of lobby groups in shaping policy.
  • Political satire and its influence.
  • Environmental policy: Understanding basics.
  • What role does local government play?
  • Does every vote count in elections?
  • How accurate are public opinion polls?
  • Politics in sports.
  • Privacy rights in a digital era.
  • Gender representation in politics.
  • Patriotism vs. nationalism: Understanding the difference.
  • Role of celebrities in political campaigns.

Interesting Political Science Research Topics

Political science never falls short of captivating topics. With its dynamic nature and its intricate connection to real-world issues, there's always something noteworthy to explore. We've done our utmost to curate a list of topics in political science that will pique anyone’s curiosity:

  • Lessons from literature on dystopian governance.
  • The war on drugs policy.
  • What influence does propaganda have on contemporary governance?
  • How governing ideologies influence art.
  • Balancing national security with personal freedoms.
  • Importance of whistleblowers in democratic societies.
  • Rhetoric and reality behind political speeches.
  • Implications of artificial intelligence on governance.
  • Attainability of world peace: A critical perspective.
  • Dynamics of power in non-democratic systems.
  • Global pandemics and their effects on governance.
  • Competing for Mars: A new space race.
  • Impact of religion on governance.
  • Perspective on animal rights from a political viewpoint.
  • Food accessibility: Who decides who gets to eat what?

Good Topics for a Political Science Research Paper

Scoring points with your professor often comes down to choosing compelling and thought-provoking research paper ideas . The following list includes good political science research questions that are in tune with contemporary discourse. Each topic offers plenty of room to showcase your analytical skills and knowledge.

  • Evaluating e-democracy: Benefits and drawbacks.
  • How migration policies shape nations.
  • Media as a tool for political persuasion.
  • Political philosophy in science fiction literature.
  • Trade wars and global relations.
  • Is there a global shift towards autocracy?
  • Understanding diplomatic immunity: Rights and abuses.
  • Role of non-state actors in shaping international policy.
  • Rise of nationalism in globalized societies.
  • Impact of climate change on national security.
  • Examination of censorship laws across nations.
  • Can blockchain technology revolutionize voting systems?
  • Decoding political rhetoric in campaign promises.
  • Gender pay gap: A policy analysis.
  • Influence of economic inequality on social unrest.

Best Political Science Research Topics

We have curated an irresistible list of political science topics for a research paper. These ideas range from pressing international issues to more granular policy questions, all guaranteed to challenge your analytical skills.

  • Exploring causes and effects of global populism.
  • Transparency as a key to ethical political leadership.
  • Evaluating the role of social media censorship in political landscapes.
  • Influence of multiculturalism on policy development.
  • Unpacking the outcomes and justifications of military interventions.
  • Corruption's destructive role in democratic systems.
  • Merits and pitfalls of technocracy.
  • Interplay of bureaucracy and governance.
  • Pathways to address political polarization.
  • Effects of historical colonization on current government structures.
  • Role of extremism in shaping international relations.
  • How global climate commitments affect nations.
  • Using sanctions as a diplomatic tool.
  • Conflict resolution through international law.
  • Geopolitics in outer space exploration.

Current Research Topics in Political Science

Political science is a progressing field, so the problems you research will always be relevant. Our list of up-to-date topics of political science will help you make sure your paper is on point.

  • Artificial intelligence in global governance.
  • Global health governance in pandemics.
  • Impact of digital currencies on economies.
  • Changes in contemporary immigration attitudes.
  • Climate crisis' role in diplomatic dialogues.
  • Social movements and societal change.
  • Tech giants and information control.
  • Civil liberties in pandemic responses.
  • Gender disparities in political representation.
  • Decolonization trends in the 21st century.
  • Cyber warfare and national security.
  • Ethics of drone warfare.
  • Crypto-anarchy and state sovereignty.
  • Right-wing extremism in the digital age.
  • Power dynamics in international space law.

Political Science Research Topic Ideas for Students

Navigating politics can be overwhelming for students, given its broad nature and intersecting disciplines. With the right research topics for political science, however, this complexity transforms into an opportunity for a decent study. Our list of political science research topics ideas is designed with students in mind, focusing on engaging, relevant, and manageable themes.

Political Science Research Paper Topics for College Students

For college students, political science topics for research papers should strike a balance between complexity and approachability. With that in mind, here's a collection of college-level political topics to write about.

  • Leadership styles across governments.
  • Impact of gender roles in election campaigns.
  • Role of think tanks in shaping public opinion.
  • Studying historical revolutions and their aftermath.
  • Influence of socio-economic status on voting behavior.
  • Exploring ethical dilemmas in international relations.
  • Cultural diplomacy and its effectiveness.
  • Sovereignty disputes and their resolution.
  • Rise and implications of digital citizenship.
  • Evaluating meritocracy as a system of governance.
  • Role of peacekeeping operations in conflict resolution.
  • Comparing capitalist and socialist economies.
  • Decoding cyber diplomacy in the digital age.
  • Relationship between economic crises and political changes.
  • Minority rights in democratic societies.

Political Science Research Topics for University

When it comes to political topics to talk about in university, politics offers a variety of interesting options. Here's a list of captivating research ideas that are sure to get you top grades:

  • Political revolutions in the digital age.
  • Comparative study of political systems.
  • Effectiveness of international climate agreements.
  • Unraveling political consequences of economic sanctions.
  • Studying neocolonialism in modern economies.
  • Impact of income inequality on social stability.
  • Debating political implications of universal basic income.
  • Role of international courts in global governance.
  • Influence of cultural diversity on national policies.
  • Dissecting geopolitics in Arctic resource exploitation.
  • Understanding post-conflict reconciliation processes.
  • Evaluating state responses to refugee crises.
  • Study of civil disobedience in democratic societies.
  • Role of soft power in international relations.
  • Disentangling politics of global water disputes.

Political Science Research Topics by Subjects

Political science is a diverse field, consisting of multiple subdomains. To help you spot a fitting theme, we've organized research paper topics for political science according to these subjects. From international relations to public policy, this assortment promises a treasure trove of research opportunities just waiting to be explored.

Philosophy Political Science Research Topics

Philosophy politics research topics explore the intersection of political science and philosophical thought. These themes focus on fundamental questions, such as the purpose of politics and its effects on society. Here are a few ideas to get your started:

  • Relevance of Machiavelli's theories today.
  • Understanding justice in Plato's Republic.
  • Influence of Kantian ethics on governance.
  • Are human rights universal or culturally relative?
  • Interplay of liberty and equality in societies.
  • Exploring Hobbes' notion of social contract.
  • Rawls versus Nozick: theories of justice compared.
  • Feminist perspectives on political participation.
  • Role of ethics in bureaucratic institutions.
  • Marx's theory of capitalism: A critical review.
  • Foucault's perspectives on power and control.
  • Locke's influence on modern democracies.
  • Concepts of civil disobedience in Thoreau's writings.
  • Arendt on violence, power, and authority.
  • Exploring Gramsci's theory of cultural hegemony.
  • Derrida's deconstruction: A political tool?
  • Nietzsche’s perspectives on societal structure.
  • Understanding politics through Spinoza's lens.
  • Evaluating communitarianism in contemporary societies.
  • Habermas on communicative action in politics.

>> View more: Philosophy Paper Topics

Political Science Research Topics on Public Law

Public law is one of the most popular subdomains of political science, as it focuses on legal systems and state power. It's a domain that lets you explore how laws are formulated, implemented, and impact society. Below you can find various political research questions in public law, including constitutional issues, administrative governance, and individual rights, among others.

  • Role of constitution in shaping governance.
  • Impact of judicial activism on democracy.
  • Analyzing separation of powers in governments.
  • Free speech rights in digital platforms.
  • Repercussions of surveillance laws on privacy.
  • Comparative study of electoral laws.
  • Analyzing federalism in constitutional law.
  • Police power and civil liberties.
  • Effectiveness of anti-discrimination laws.
  • Administrative discretion: Power and accountability.
  • Impact of immigration laws on societies.
  • Understanding lawmaking process in parliamentary systems.
  • Role of supreme courts in constitutional interpretation.
  • Law enforcement and minority rights.
  • Legal aspects of environmental protection.
  • Hate speech laws and freedom of expression.
  • Public health laws in times of crisis.
  • Legal mechanisms to fight corruption.
  • Analyzing gun control laws across nations.
  • Legal challenges in the implementation of welfare policies.

>> Learn more:  Law Research Topics

Research Topics in Political Science on Public Administration

Public administration is the study of how governments and other public institutions are managed. It examines their structures, operations, policies, and politics to understand how they work in practice. Here's a collection of project topics for political science on public administration worth attention:

  • Understanding bureaucracy in modern governance.
  • Role of public administrators in policy implementation.
  • Effect of administrative reforms on public services.
  • Importance of ethics in public administration.
  • Evaluating public financial management systems.
  • Role of e-governance in public service delivery.
  • Analyzing gender representation in public administration.
  • Public administration in urban planning.
  • Role of public-private partnerships in governance.
  • Crisis management strategies in public administration.
  • Leadership challenges in public organizations.
  • Role of transparency in public service delivery.
  • Organizational culture in public administration.
  • Analyzing the politics-administration dichotomy.
  • Decision-making processes in public organizations.
  • Evaluating accountability mechanisms in public administration.
  • Human resource challenges in public services.
  • Impact of corruption on public administration.
  • Role of citizens' participation in public administration.
  • Comparative study of public administration models.

Political Science Research Paper Topics on Comparative Politics

Comparative politics research topics offer a window into how different political systems operate, what works, and what needs reevaluation. It encourages you to step outside the boundaries of your local context and grasp a more global perspective on political processes. The following political essay topics and paper ideas will fit any compare and contrast essay or project.

  • Social welfare measures across democracies.
  • Examining stability in different governmental systems.
  • Comparative analysis of electoral mechanisms.
  • Impact of societal culture on governance.
  • Federalism versus unitary systems: A comparative study.
  • Scrutinizing corruption in diverse economies.
  • A cross-nation study of education systems.
  • Protection of minority rights across countries.
  • Comparing freedom of the press globally.
  • Role of armed forces in various governmental structures.
  • Analyzing constitutional designs across nations.
  • A study on decentralization efforts in different countries.
  • Comparative research on party systems.
  • Gender and leadership: A cross-country examination.
  • Populism in different societal contexts.
  • Comparative view of environmental conservation measures.
  • Human rights protections in different nations.
  • Influence of colonial history on modern governance.
  • Cross-national study of immigration rules.
  • Role of religion in different governance systems.

Political Science Research Topics on Conflict Resolution

Conflict resolution is an essential field in political science, focusing on the methods and strategies used to mitigate disputes on local, national, and international levels. It opens up opportunities to explore how peace is achieved, maintained, and sometimes lost. Below you can find political issues to write about if you want to focus on different disputes.

  • Peacebuilding strategies in post-war societies.
  • Role of diplomacy in averting conflicts.
  • Effectiveness of international arbitration.
  • Power sharing as a tool for peace.
  • Influence of civil society on conflict resolution.
  • Role of United Nations in global peacekeeping.
  • Mediation strategies in intra-state conflicts.
  • Women in peace negotiations.
  • Strategies for resolving territorial disputes.
  • Analyzing post-conflict reconciliation processes.
  • Impact of economic sanctions on conflict resolution.
  • Role of international law in conflict mitigation.
  • Effectiveness of non-violent resistance.
  • Analyzing the success of peace treaties.
  • Study of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration processes.
  • Resolving resource-based conflicts.
  • Role of third parties in conflict resolution.
  • Approaches to addressing ethnic conflicts.
  • Influence of climate change on conflict resolution.
  • Cyber conflict resolution strategies.

Political Science Research Topics on Meditation and Negotiation

Mediation and negotiation sit at the heart of conflict resolution, focusing on peaceful strategies to address disputes and foster cooperation. These techniques find wide application in various contexts, from local disagreements to international conflicts. These interesting research topics in political science allow you to understand how these processes work in theory and practice:

  • Role of intermediaries in peace processes.
  • Strategies for successful diplomatic discussions.
  • Comparative analysis of negotiation techniques.
  • Dialogue styles in international diplomacy.
  • Analyzing the success of secret diplomatic talks.
  • Role of non-state actors in negotiation.
  • Gender dynamics in discussion processes.
  • Influence of cultural factors on dispute resolution.
  • Role of international organizations in diplomatic dialogues.
  • Arbitration in maritime territorial disputes.
  • Use of discussions in trade agreements.
  • Role of trust in successful dialogues.
  • Addressing power asymmetry in discussions.
  • Track II diplomacy in mediation.
  • Impact of communication technology on dispute settlement.
  • Role of empathy in successful negotiation.
  • Influence of domestic politics on international mediation..
  • Conflict resolution strategies in labor disputes.
  • Role of transparency in negotiations.
  • Evolution of dispute resolution techniques over time.

>> View more: Communication Research Topics

International Relations Political Research Topics

International relations explores connections among nations, the roles of sovereign states, intergovernmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and multinational corporations. This field offers a multitude of engaging research topics ranging from issues of diplomacy, international conflict, global cooperation, to international trade. Here are some political science research ideas that focus on international relations:

  • Role of multinational corporations in global governance.
  • Cross-border environmental cooperation.
  • Effectiveness of international law enforcement.
  • Influence of globalism on sovereignty.
  • Impact of digital diplomacy in foreign relations.
  • Evolution of global power structures.
  • Influence of cultural diplomacy in global partnerships.
  • Strategies for global poverty reduction.
  • Understanding geopolitics in Arctic exploration.
  • Challenges to global health collaboration.
  • Role of non-state actors in global governance.
  • Interplay of economics and international relations.
  • Humanitarian interventions: A critical analysis.
  • Cross-border migration and its global implications.
  • International responses to global pandemics.
  • Role of international courts in justice delivery.
  • Diplomacy in the age of information technology.
  • Analyzing global disarmament efforts.
  • Global efforts in counter-terrorism.
  • Evolution of international trade agreements.

American Politics Research Paper Topics

American politics is a wide-ranging field, including issues from the local, state, to national levels. It incorporates diverse aspects like public opinion, public policy, ideological shifts, and more. The United States' unique political system offers abundant potential for research. Here are American politics research topics for your next project:

  • Evolution of American federalism.
  • Impact of Supreme Court decisions on society.
  • Understanding American political polarization.
  • Role of third parties in U.S. elections.
  • Influence of social movements on legislation.
  • Examining executive orders' effectiveness.
  • Shifts in public opinion on climate change.
  • Impact of lobbying on American health care reform.
  • Influence of Presidential debates on voters.
  • Effects of gerrymandering on electoral outcomes.
  • Analyzing campaign finance reform in U.S.
  • Role of think tanks in shaping U.S. policy.
  • Implications of immigration reform on U.S. economy.
  • Gun control debate and policy outcomes.
  • Social justice and law enforcement reform.
  • Influence of race and ethnicity on voting patterns.
  • Role of the media in shaping public opinion.
  • Analyzing the U.S. response to global pandemics.
  • Examination of U.S. trade policies.
  • Impact of technology on U.S. governance.

Government Research Paper Topics

Government is a broad field that includes many different subdomains and politics topics to discuss. It revolves around the structures, processes, and functions of governing bodies, allowing you to explore the inner workings of various political systems. Here are some useful ideas on government:

  • Evaluating the meritocracy in civil services.
  • Digitization of public services: Impact and challenges.
  • Understanding state surveillance: Balancing security and privacy.
  • Impact of decentralization on local development.
  • Government's role in disaster management.
  • Analyzing the government's role in fostering innovation.
  • Study on government initiatives for financial inclusion.
  • Role of government in mitigating income inequality.
  • Government strategies in promoting renewable energy.
  • Analysis of government responses to recessions.
  • Public-private partnerships in infrastructure development.
  • Government regulation of the gig economy.
  • Role of government in promoting cultural heritage.
  • Public sector reforms for better governance.
  • Government interventions in housing markets.
  • Assessing government transparency initiatives.
  • Government's role in universal health care provision.
  • The impact of political term limits on governance.
  • Government initiatives in curbing the opioid crisis.
  • The role of governments in combating online misinformation.

Political Science Research Questions

Research questions provide a clear direction to your studies, defining what you want to achieve. Here are some unique research questions for political science that span a wide array of sub-areas:

  • How does social media shape public opinion on climate change policy?
  • How can local governments boost civic engagement?
  • How does income inequality impact political participation?
  • How do trade policies affect domestic industries?
  • How do immigration laws influence national identity?
  • How does political advertising affect voter turnout?
  • How does corruption impact public trust in government?
  • How does gender representation in government influence policy decisions?
  • What role does education play in political awareness?
  • How does political satire influence public perception of politicians?
  • How have government responses to pandemics evolved over time?
  • How does foreign aid impact the donor-recipient relationship?
  • How can governments leverage technology to improve public services?
  • How does cybersecurity impact national defense strategies?
  • How do international treaties impact national sovereignty?
  • How do political ideologies shape foreign policy?
  • How can governments promote sustainable urban development?
  • What is the role of youth in shaping future politics?
  • How does political stability affect economic growth?
  • How does political rhetoric shape public perception of immigration?

Extra Political Science Topics for Research Papers

Although the topics for political science research papers given above should help you kickstart your project, here are a few extra ideas to make sure you write an excellent project:

  • Green parties' influence on environmental sustainability.
  • Significance of political graffiti in social movements.
  • Virtual reality's potential in public engagement.
  • Role of cognitive psychology in voter behavior.
  • Understanding biopolitics: control and manipulation.
  • Space law's implications for international cooperation.
  • Implications of Internet of Things (IoT) for national security.
  • Analysis of language used in peace treaties.
  • Incorporating indigenous governance in modern state systems.
  • Decoding humor in political satire.
  • Political underpinnings in fantasy literature.
  • Political landscapes in virtual communities.
  • The politics of cryptocurrency regulation.
  • Using machine learning to predict election outcomes.
  • Role of street art in political protests.
  • Exploring the politics of veganism.
  • Political dimensions of genetic engineering ethics.
  • Pop culture's influence on political consciousness.
  • Influence of climate fiction ("cli-fi") on environmental policy.
  • Geopolitical consequences of the commercialization of space.

Bottom Line on Political Science Topics

We did our best to provide you with an assortment of good topics for political science research paper in every subdomain. Whether you're interested in philosophy, public law, international affairs, or something else entirely – this collection should have it all. We hope that at least one of these themes motivates you to do your best work yet! Remember that you can buy coursework or any other academic paper from certified writers with solid experience.

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Topics in Comparative Political Economy

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PS 210: Topics in Comparative Political Economy

Translating substantively significant political economy issues into researchable research problems is a challenge. The course objective will be to consider how these topics can provide the basis for research projects and dissertations in comparative politics and comparative political economy. Each class will explore both the substance of a particular problem to identify significant issues and the relation of those issues to questions of general interest in political economy and political science. The final course assignment will be a research paper that can be a master’s essay, an elaborated research design such as a draft dissertation prospectus, or a dissertation chapter.

Topics will include:

· The politics and the transformation of finance: Has the evolution of finance affected how governments and business interact. Was the transformation an inevitable result of technology and globalization or a policy choice? Was the crisis of 2008 the first financial collapse of the digital age?

o Financial systems, once principally national and rooted around domestic deposits and investments, have been transformed. They are now both market-based and often global in character. Arguably this transformation, facilitated by Information Technology tools, is at the root of the financial collapse of 2008, and more generally has consequences for the politics of domestic economic governance and strategies for growth.

· Green Growth, Energy Transformations, and the Climate Debate: Domestic and International Issues

o While the Climate problem is “global”, the solutions will lie in major part in the transition of domestic energy systems from high carbon low efficiency to high efficiency low carbon. That transformation will be costly in the short run and does not produce automatic or evident economic gain. Why do some countries pursue strategies to transform energy systems while others do not? Can Green Sustain Growth?

· The Third Globalization and the Commodity Trap: Can Wealthy Countries Stay Rich in the face of emerging market competition? There are an array of questions here.

o The decomposition of production and the transformation of services force us to reconsider the logic of value creation and, consequently, the dynamics of political economy. As production is outsourced and off-shored, where are jobs and who captures the value? Nationally rooted vertically integrated companies were the focus of debate and concern in the 20 th century. They have given rise to cross national production net works. Services once feared to be the black hole of advanced economies have, enabled by information technology, become productivity drivers. For advanced countries these developments have created at once both a commodity trap potentially limiting productivity and wage increases, and escapes from that trap. These developments have also influenced the distribution of gains from growth.

§ For emerging markets we consider how the fragmentation of production and the evolution of finance creates diverse points of entry into the global economy. What are the politics of Rapid Innovation Based Growth that has been central to growth strategies?

§ For advanced countries the expanded competition across the value chain makes everything seem like a commodity and puts pressure on prices. Advanced country work forces face competition, thus, from increasingly diverse and skilled work forces in a variety of places.

– Are there escapes from the commodity trap? How can firms create and capture value in the advanced countries?

– The jobs producing an Apple product may be in China, but the value add is in the US. But can workers in the US share in that Bonanza?

§ Will cloud computing, which is an ICT evolution of significance and not just an advertising slogan, make the commodity trap worse? Or will it provide advance countries a way out? The answer is not in the technology, but in the policies and politics of adoption and diffusion.

· Technology, International Trade, and Policy: What drives jobs, income and wealth?

o What policies can affect the distributive outcomes of the transformation of work?

· Globalization with Borders: Will borders evaporate, change meaning, or be redrawn in a era of globalization? Is the world flat, or was Christopher Columbus right?

o Europe and the Euro Crisis: Have politics created an economic crisis, or, conversely, has economic misjudgment generated a political debacle? Does the current crisis have implications for our understanding of the origins and evolution of the European community?

o How does a nation’s regional neighborhood matter to its political and economic trajectory?

o Are tribal challenges to state authority in Iraq and the Catalan challenge to Spanish authority part of the same larger story.

term paper topics for comparative politics

Term Paper Topics: 150 Ideas for Academic Excellence

term paper topics for comparative politics

Upon entering university, the multitude of responsibilities that accompany your studies may catch you off guard. The pressure to write and submit research papers on time can be overwhelming, leading to feelings of exhaustion and anxiety.

Many students find themselves stressed and unsure of how to navigate assignments and exams, particularly when it comes to selecting the best term paper topics that align with their writing style. The process can leave individuals feeling lost and in need of guidance or an essay service .

where to find good term paper topics

In this article, you will find a collection of 150 excellent topic ideas in Philosophy, Sociology, Micro and Macroeconomics, History, Ethics, Medicine, Chemistry, Biology, Education, as well as Media and Communication.

From History to Biology: Intriguing Term Paper Topics to Spark Your Creativity

The provided topic suggestions are organized based on subject areas, offering a diverse range of options. Our goal is to provide a balanced scope and complexity, catering to various academic levels, courses, and interests. Feel free to tailor these research topic ideas to align with your specific educational needs when learning how to write a term paper .

great term paper topic

Whether you choose to narrow down the topics or approach them from a different perspective, the list is designed to be adaptable to your unique requirements and preferences. Should you lack time to explore any of these topics, go for custom research paper writing at any time on our website.

Still Can’t Find a Great Term Paper Topic?

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Philosophy Term Paper Topics

Embark on a philosophical exploration with these compelling topics in Philosophy that delve into the fundamental questions of existence, ethics, and knowledge. From classical philosophical inquiries to contemporary debates, this curated list offers diverse avenues for contemplation and intellectual discourse.

  • The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: Examining the Moral Implications of AI Development.
  • Nietzsche's Ubermensch: A Critical Analysis of the Concept of the Overman.
  • The Trolley Problem: Ethical Dilemmas in Utilitarianism.
  • The Philosophy of Mind-Body Dualism: Descartes vs. Contemporary Perspectives.
  • Existentialism in Literature: Analyzing the Existential Themes in Kafka's Works.
  • The Epistemology of Fake News: Truth, Trust, and Information in the Digital Age.
  • Eastern Philosophy: Comparing Taoism and Confucianism on Ethics and Society.
  • Feminist Ethics: Deconstructing Gender Bias and Inequality through a Philosophical Lens.
  • Environmental Ethics: The Moral Obligations in the Face of Climate Change.
  • The Philosophy of Language: Wittgenstein's Linguistic Investigations and its Impact on Analytic Philosophy.

Sociology Term Paper Topics

Dive into the complexities of societal structures and human interactions with these thought-provoking topics in Sociology. This curated list explores a diverse range of issues, from the impact of technology on social dynamics to the examination of cultural norms and their influence on individual behavior. If Sociology isn't your jam, buy term paper from professional writers to keep up with the workload.

  • The Digital Divide: Analyzing Socioeconomic Disparities in Access to Technology.
  • Social Media and Identity: Exploring the Impact of Online Platforms on Self-Perception.
  • The Influence of Gender Roles on Career Choices: A Sociological Perspective.
  • Urbanization and Social Change: Examining the Effects of Urban Development on Communities.
  • The Sociology of Deviance: Understanding the Social Construction of Criminality.
  • Intersectionality in Feminist Theory: Addressing the Interconnectedness of Social Categories.
  • The Role of Family Structure in Shaping Educational Attainment.
  • Globalization and Cultural Homogenization: Assessing the Impact on Local Cultures.
  • Social Movements and Political Change: A Comparative Analysis of Historical Cases.
  • The Sociology of Health Inequalities: Investigating the Link Between Social Factors and Health Disparities.

Microeconomics Term Paper Topics

Explore the intricate world of economic decision-making and market dynamics with these engaging topics in Microeconomics. This curated list offers a diverse array of subjects, from analyzing consumer behavior to exploring the implications of market structures on resource allocation.

  • Behavioral Economics: Investigating the Psychological Factors Influencing Consumer Choices.
  • Market Failures and Externalities: Assessing the Role of Government Intervention.
  • The Economics of Information: Examining the Impact of Asymmetric Information on Markets.
  • Game Theory in Business Strategy: A Microeconomic Perspective.
  • Labor Market Dynamics: Analyzing Wage Determinants and Unemployment Trends.
  • The Elasticity of Demand: A Comprehensive Study of Price Sensitivity.
  • Monopolistic Competition: Understanding the Characteristics and Implications for Industries.
  • Environmental Economics: Evaluating the Economic Cost of Environmental Degradation.
  • The Role of Microfinance in Alleviating Poverty: A Microeconomic Analysis.
  • Health Economics: Exploring the Economic Factors Influencing Healthcare Access and Outcomes.

Macroeconomics Term Paper Topics

Study the broader economic landscape with these compelling topics in Macroeconomics. This curated list delves into key issues such as fiscal policy, monetary systems, and global economic trends, offering diverse avenues for in-depth analysis and critical inquiry.

  • The Impact of Inflation on Income Distribution: A Macroeconomic Perspective.
  • Keynesian vs. Monetarist Approaches to Economic Stabilization.
  • Globalization and Income Inequality: Analyzing the Macro-Level Effects on Nations.
  • The Phillips Curve: Examining the Relationship Between Inflation and Unemployment.
  • The Role of Central Banks in Monetary Policy: A Comparative Analysis.
  • Economic Growth and Sustainable Development: Balancing Progress with Environmental Concerns.
  • Fiscal Policy and Economic Stimulus: Assessing the Effectiveness of Government Intervention.
  • Exchange Rate Determinants: Understanding Factors Influencing Currency Values.
  • The Business Cycle: Analyzing Phases and Implications for Economic Policies.
  • The Macroeconomics of Public Debt: Evaluating the Impact on National Economies.

Economics Term Paper Topics

Discover a curated selection of topics in Economics designed to foster a deep understanding of economic principles and their real-world applications. From exploring market dynamics to evaluating the global impacts of economic policies, this collection provides a valuable foundation for in-depth research, allowing students to delve into critical economic issues and enhance their analytical skills.

  • The Role of Entrepreneurship in Economic Development: A Comparative Analysis.
  • Behavioral Economics and Nudging: Understanding the Intersection of Psychology and Economic Decision-Making.
  • The Economics of Renewable Energy: Assessing the Viability and Impact on Energy Markets.
  • Economic Consequences of Technological Innovation: A Historical Perspective.
  • The Circular Economy: Exploring Sustainable Business Models and Resource Management.
  • Income Mobility and Economic Equality: Analyzing Trends and Policy Implications.
  • Trade Liberalization and Global Economic Integration: Challenges and Opportunities.
  • The Economics of Healthcare Systems: A Comparative Study of Models Around the World.
  • The Impact of Economic Policies on Income Distribution: A Case Study Approach.
  • Financial Crises and Regulatory Responses: Lessons from Historical and Contemporary Perspectives.

History Term Paper Topics

To maximize your historical research experience, consider selecting a good research paper topic in History that aligns with your interests and offers ample primary and secondary sources, ensuring a rich and nuanced exploration of the past.

  • The Silk Road: Cultural Exchange and Economic Impact.
  • The Renaissance and its Influence on European Art and Science.
  • The Berlin Wall: Origins, Division, and Fall.
  • The Role of Women in Ancient Civilizations: A Comparative Study.
  • The Cold War Space Race: USA vs. USSR.
  • The Crusades: Causes, Consequences, and Historical Impact.
  • The Age of Enlightenment: Intellectual Movements and Social Change.
  • The Partition of India: Examining the Aftermath and Legacy.
  • The Harlem Renaissance: Cultural Flourishing in African American History.
  • The Industrial Revolution: Transformations in Society, Economy, and Technology.

Ethics Term Paper Topics

When tackling interesting research topics in Ethics, ensure to thoroughly define the ethical issue at hand and provide a clear rationale for your chosen stance. Engage with relevant ethical theories, present counterarguments thoughtfully, and strive for a balanced analysis to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the complexities involved.

  • Ethical Implications of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare.
  • Environmental Ethics: Balancing Human Needs and Ecological Responsibility.
  • The Ethics of Genetic Engineering: Navigating Moral Boundaries.
  • Corporate Social Responsibility: Evaluating Business Ethics in the Modern Era.
  • Bioethics and Human Cloning: Moral Considerations in Scientific Advancements.
  • Ethical Issues in Animal Testing: Balancing Scientific Progress and Animal Welfare.
  • The Morality of Capital Punishment: A Critical Analysis.
  • Cyberethics: Addressing Moral Challenges in the Digital Age.
  • Ethical Considerations in Medical Research: Lessons from Historical Controversies.
  • Ethical Dimensions of Globalization: Examining Fair Trade and Social Justice.

World History Term Paper Topics

When working on topics in World History, focus on developing a clear thesis that addresses a specific aspect of global history, ensuring it is both compelling and well-defined. Support your arguments with a thorough examination of primary and secondary sources, offering a nuanced perspective on historical events and fostering a deeper understanding of their global impact.

  • The Impact of the Silk Road on Global Trade and Cultural Exchange.
  • The Age of Exploration: European Expansion and Its Consequences.
  • The Industrial Revolution's Global Impact on Societies and Economies.
  • The Ottoman Empire: Rise, Peak, and Decline.
  • Decolonization Movements in Africa: Struggles for Independence.
  • The Renaissance in Italy and Its Influence on European Art and Thought.
  • The Haitian Revolution: A Landmark in the Fight Against Slavery.
  • The Boxer Rebellion in China: Resistance to Western Influence.
  • The Berlin Airlift: Cold War Tensions and Humanitarian Efforts.
  • The Cuban Missile Crisis: A Critical Moment in Cold War History.

Medicine Term Paper Topics

Contemplating interesting research paper topics in Medicine, prioritize selecting a specific and relevant subject to explore, ensuring it aligns with your interests and academic goals. Additionally, integrate critical analysis of current research, consider ethical implications, and emphasize the practical applications of medical advancements to enhance the depth and breadth of your research paper. Since writing about health research paper topics is often challenging, consider learning how to write a nursing essay to be better prepared for such a task.

  • Precision Medicine: Tailoring Treatment to Individual Genetic Profiles.
  • The Ethics of Organ Transplants: Balancing Supply and Demand.
  • Pandemics Throughout History: Lessons from the Black Death to COVID-19.
  • Mental Health Stigma: Addressing Barriers to Care and Understanding.
  • Advances in CRISPR Technology: Implications for Genetic Editing in Medicine.
  • The Impact of Vaccination Programs on Public Health.
  • Global Health Disparities: Analyzing the Root Causes and Solutions.
  • Telemedicine: Revolutionizing Healthcare Delivery.
  • Alternative Medicine: Examining Efficacy and Integration into Mainstream Healthcare.
  • Medical Ethics in End-of-Life Care: Balancing Autonomy and Compassion.

Tackling topics in Philosophy, carefully define your thesis statement and ensure it reflects a clear and specific argument, providing a roadmap for your exploration. Engage deeply with primary philosophical texts, critically analyze different perspectives, and construct a well-structured argument to demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the philosophical concepts under consideration.

  • Existentialism in Literature: Analyzing the Themes in Kafka's Works.
  • The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: Examining Moral Implications in AI Development.
  • Nietzsche's Ubermensch: A Critical Analysis of the Overman Concept.
  • Eastern Philosophy: A Comparative Study of Taoism and Confucianism.
  • Feminist Ethics: Deconstructing Gender Bias and Inequality Philosophically.
  • Environmental Ethics: Moral Obligations in the Face of Climate Change.
  • Theories of Truth: A Comparative Analysis in Analytic Philosophy.

Chemistry Term Paper Topics

When approaching topics in Chemistry, focus on clearly defining the research question and highlighting its significance within the broader context of chemical science. Integrate recent advancements, experimental methodologies, and real-world applications to showcase the practical implications of your chosen topic and engage your readers with the dynamic and evolving nature of the field. If any topic is too difficult or doesn't resonate with you, try term paper writing services for better results.

  • Green Chemistry: Sustainable Practices in the Chemical Industry.
  • The Chemistry of Drug Design: From Molecules to Medicines.
  • Nanotechnology in Chemistry: Applications and Future Implications.
  • Environmental Chemistry: Analyzing the Impact of Human Activities on Ecosystems.
  • The Role of Catalysts in Chemical Reactions: Mechanisms and Applications.
  • Supramolecular Chemistry: Exploring Molecular Assemblies and Interactions.
  • Quantum Chemistry: Understanding Molecular Behavior at the Quantum Level.
  • Chemistry of Food Additives: Safety, Functionality, and Regulations.
  • The Chemistry of Brewing: From Raw Ingredients to the Perfect Pint.
  • Bioinorganic Chemistry: Investigating the Role of Metals in Biological Systems.

Biology Term Paper Topics

With topics in Biology, carefully define your research question, ensuring it addresses a specific aspect of biological science with relevance and significance. Utilize a combination of current research, empirical evidence, and critical analysis to construct a well-supported argument that contributes to the broader understanding of biological phenomena.

  • CRISPR Technology: Revolutionary Advances in Genetic Editing.
  • The Microbiome and Human Health: Exploring the Gut-Brain Connection.
  • Evolutionary Perspectives on Human Behavior: Insights from Darwinian Theory.
  • Climate Change and Biodiversity: Impact on Ecosystems and Conservation.
  • Stem Cell Research: Applications in Medicine and Ethical Considerations.
  • Epigenetics: Understanding Gene Expression Beyond DNA Sequences.
  • Conservation Biology: Strategies to Protect Endangered Species.
  • Neurobiology of Addiction: Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms.
  • Synthetic Biology: Engineering Life for Biotechnological Applications.
  • The Ecology of Infectious Diseases: Interactions between Pathogens and Hosts.

Political Science Term Paper Topics

Approaching Political Science topics involves clearly articulating your research question and its relevance to political theory or contemporary issues. Thoroughly engage with diverse perspectives, incorporate relevant case studies, and critically analyze empirical evidence to construct a nuanced argument that contributes to the field's ongoing discourse.

  • The Impact of Social Media on Political Campaigns: Analyzing Communication Strategies.
  • The Role of International Organizations in Global Governance: A Case Study Approach.
  • Populism in Contemporary Politics: Causes, Characteristics, and Consequences.
  • The Evolution of Political Parties: A Comparative Analysis of Party Systems.
  • Human Rights and International Law: Addressing Challenges and Controversies.
  • The Influence of Political Economy on Policy Decision-Making.
  • The Arab Spring: Examining Political Change in the Middle East.
  • Environmental Politics: Policy Approaches to Address Climate Change.
  • Electoral Systems: Comparing Proportional Representation and First-Past-the-Post.
  • Nationalism and Identity Politics: Impact on Statehood and International Relations.

Term Paper Topics About Education

Ensure your Education research paper topics are specific and relevant, focusing on an aspect of education that aligns with your academic interests. Support your arguments with a blend of empirical evidence, educational theories, and practical examples to offer a comprehensive analysis and contribute meaningfully to the discourse surrounding educational practices.

  • The Impact of Technology on Classroom Learning: Opportunities and Challenges.
  • Inclusive Education: Addressing Diversity in the Classroom.
  • The Role of Standardized Testing in Education: Pros and Cons.
  • Early Childhood Education: The Foundation for Lifelong Learning.
  • Online Learning: Exploring Effectiveness and College Students Engagement.
  • Education Policy Analysis: A Comparative Study of Global Approaches.
  • Special Education: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Learners.
  • Teacher Professional Development: Strategies for Continuous Improvement.
  • The Influence of Socioeconomic Status on Educational Attainment.
  • Education and Social Justice: Bridging Gaps for Equitable Opportunities.

Media and Communication Term Paper Topics

Meticulously define your research question, emphasizing its significance within the realm of Media and Communication studies. Employ a critical analysis of media theories, incorporate real-world examples, and consider the social implications to construct a well-rounded argument that reflects an in-depth understanding of communication dynamics.

  • Media Influence on Public Opinion: Analyzing the Power of Mass Media.
  • Social Media and Political Discourse: Impacts on Democratic Processes.
  • The Evolution of Print Journalism in the Digital Age: Challenges and Opportunities.
  • Media Ethics: Balancing Freedom of Speech and Responsible Reporting.
  • The Role of Advertising in Shaping Consumer Behavior: A Critical Examination.
  • Media Convergence: Integration of Platforms and its Effects on Content.
  • The Representation of Gender in Media: Examining Stereotypes and Progress.
  • Fake News and Misinformation: Challenges in the Era of Information Overload.
  • The Impact of Streaming Services on Traditional Media: A Market Analysis.
  • Media Literacy Education: Enhancing Critical Thinking in the Digital Age.

It's always crucial to begin researching term paper topics by thoroughly understanding the assigned subject matter or selecting one that aligns with your interests and experiences. Engage in thoughtful brainstorming to identify key themes or personal anecdotes that can add depth to your essay. Establish a clear and compelling thesis statement that guides the reader through your narrative or argument, providing a roadmap for the essay's structure.

For those looking to expedite their academic journey, exploring term papers for sale online could be a strategic move. Be sure to strike a balance between personal reflection and broader implications, showcasing both your individual perspective and an awareness of the topic's significance. Finally, revise and edit your essay diligently, seeking feedback from peers or mentors to ensure clarity, coherence, and an impactful presentation of your research paper ideas. If you ever happen to require any help with finding the best research paper topics, simply say, ' write my paper ,' and college curriculum helpers will give you a hand. 

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150+ Informative Essay Topics for All Students

Man or bear? Hypothetical question sparks conversation about women's safety

Women explain why they would feel safer encountering a bear in the forest than a man they didn't know. the hypothetical has sparked a broader discussion about why women fear men..

term paper topics for comparative politics

If you were alone in the woods, would you rather encounter a bear or a man? Answers to that hypothetical question have sparked a debate about why the vast majority say they would feel more comfortable choosing a bear.

The topic has been hotly discussed for weeks as men and women chimed in with their thoughts all over social media.

Screenshot HQ , a TikTok account, started the conversation, asking a group of women whether they would rather run into a man they didn't know or a bear in the forest. Out of the seven women interviewed for the piece, only one picked a man.

"Bear. Man is scary," one of the women responds.

A number of women echoed the responses given in the original video, writing in the comments that they, too, would pick a bear over a man. The hypothetical has people split, with some expressing their sadness over the state of the world and others cracking jokes. Some men were flabbergasted.

Here's what we know.

A bear is the safer choice, no doubt about it, many say

There were a lot of responses, more than 65,000, under the original post. Many wrote that they understood why the women would choose a bear.

"No one’s gonna ask me if I led the bear on or give me a pamphlet on bear attack prevention tips," @celestiallystunning wrote.

@Brennduhh wrote: "When I die leave my body in the woods, the wolves will be gentler than any man."

"I know a bear's intentions," another woman wrote. "I don't know a man's intentions. no matter how nice they are."

Other TikTok users took it one step further, posing the hypothetical question to loved ones. Meredith Steele, who goes by @babiesofsteele , asked her husband last week whether he would rather have their daughter encounter a bear or a man in the woods. Her husband said he "didn't like either option" but said he was leaning toward the bear.

"Maybe it's a friendly bear," he says.

Diana, another TikTok user , asked her sister-in-law what she would choose and was left speechless.

"I asked her the question, you know, just for giggles. She was like, 'You know, I would rather it be a bear because if the bear attacks me, and I make it out of the woods, everybody’s gonna believe me and have sympathy for me," she said. "But if a man attacks me and I make it out, I’m gonna spend my whole life trying to get people to believe me and have sympathy for me.'"

Bear vs. man debate stirs the pot, woman and some men at odds

The hypothetical has caused some tension, with some women arguing that men will never truly understand what it's like to be a woman or the inherent dangers at play.

Social media users answered this question for themselves, producing memes, spoken word poetry and skits in the days and weeks since.

So, what would you choose?

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UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2024: PDF Download, Check Important Topics, Books, and More

Ugc net political science syllabus 2024: candidates who aspire to pursue their career in political science must check the ugc net political science syllabus. check out the latest ugc net political science syllabus and exam pattern here.

Mohd Salman

UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2024 The UGC NET Political Science updated curriculum 2024 has been released by the recruitment body on the official website. The first step of UGC NET Political Science preparation is to check the latest syllabus in order to identify topics important for the exam. The syllabus of the UGC NET Political Science subject consists of two papers Paper A and Paper B. Paper A is a common general aptitude paper for all the subjects whereas Paper B comprises questions related to Political Science topics. 

UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2024

One should build a strong grip on the concepts of the NET Political Science syllabus in order to excel in the exam. As per the previous year's exam analysis, the overall difficulty level of the Political Science question was moderate. 

UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2024 PDF

Ugc net political science syllabus 2024: important topics, unit 1: political theory, unit 2: political thought, unit 3: indian political thought, unit 4: comparative political analysis, unit 5: international relations, unit 6: india’s foreign policy, unit 7: political institutions in india, unit 8: political processes in india, unit 9: public administration.

  • Unit 10: Governance and Public Policy in India 

Unit Wise UGC NET Political Science Syllabus

  • Liberty, Equality, Justice, Rights, Democracy, Power, Citizenship, Political Traditions
  • Conservatism
  • Multiculturalism
  • Postmodernism
  • Approaches: Institutional, Political Culture, Political Economy and New Institutionalism; Comparative Methods
  • Colonialism and Decolonization: forms of Colonialism, anti-colonial Struggles, and Decolonization
  • Nationalism: European and non-European.
  • State theory: the debate over the nature of the state in capitalist and socialist societies; post-colonial state; welfare state; globalization and nations-states
  • Political regimes: democratic (Electoral, Liberal, Majoritarian, and Participatory) and non-democratic regimes (Patrimonialism, Bureaucratic authoritarianism, Military dictatorship, Totalitarianism, and fascism).
  • Constitutions and Constitutionalism: forms of constitutions, rule of law, judicial independence and liberal constitutionalism; emergency powers and the crisis of constitutionalism.
  • Democratization: democratic transition and consolidation.
  • Development: Underdevelopment, Dependency, Modernization, World Systems Theory, development, and democracy.
  • Structures of Power: ruling class, power elites, democratic elitism
  • Actor and Processes: Electoral Systems, Political Parties and Party Systems, Interest groups, Social movements, new social movements, Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs), and civil society campaigns; Revolutions
  • Approaches to the study of International relations: Idealism, Realism, Structural Marxism, Neoliberalism, Neorealism, Social Constructivism, Critical International Theory, Feminism, Postmodernism.
  • Concepts: State, state system and non-state actors, Power, Sovereignty, Security: traditional and non- traditional.
  • Conflict and Peace: Changing Nature of Warfare; Weapons of mass destruction; deterrence; conflict resolution, conflict transformation.
  • United Nations: Aims, Objectives, Structure and Evaluation of the Working of UN; Peace and Development perspectives; Humanitarian intervention. International law; International Criminal Court
  • Political Economy of IR; Globalisation; Global governance and Bretton Woods system, North-South Dialogue, WTO, G-20, BRICS.
  • Regional Organisations: European Union, African Union, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, ASEAN.
  • Contemporary Challenges: International terrorism, Climate change and Environmental Concerns, Human Rights, Migration and Refugees; Poverty and Development; Role of Religion, Culture and Identity Politics
  • Perspectives on India’s Foreign Policy: India’s Identity as Postcolonial, development, rising power, and emerging political economy
  • Continuity and change in India’s Foreign Policy: Principles and determinants; Non-Alignment movement: historical background and relevance of Non-Aligned Movement; India’s Nuclear Policy
  • India’s relations with major powers: USA, USSR/Russia, People’s Republic of China India’s Engagement with the multipolar world: India’s relations with European Union, BRICS, ASEAN, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, African Union, Southern African Development Community, Gulf Cooperation Council 
  • India’s relations with the neighborhood: SAARC, Gujaral doctrine, Look East/ Act East, Look West.
  • India’s Negotiation Strategies in International Regimes: The United Nations, World Trade Organisation, International Monetary Fund, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
  • Contemporary challenges: maritime security, energy security, environmental security, migrants and refugees, water resources, international terrorism, cyber security
  • Making of the Indian Constitution: Colonialism Heritage and the Contribution of Indian National Movement to the Making of the Indian Constitution
  • Constituent Assembly: Composition, Ideological Moorings, Constitutional Debates
  • Philosophy of the Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles Constitutionalism in India: Democracy, Social Change, National Unity, Checks and Balances, Basic Structure Debate, Constitutional Amendments
  • Union Executive: President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers
  • Union Parliament: Structure, Role and Functioning, Parliamentary Committees
  • Judiciary: Supreme Court, High Court, Judicial Review, Judicial Activism, Judicial Reform.
  • Executive and Legislature in the States: Governor, Chief Minister, State Legislature
  • Federalism in India: Strong Centre Framework, Asymmetrical Federal Provisions and Adaption, Role of Intergovernmental Coordination Mechanisms, Inter-State Council, Emerging Trends
  • Electoral Process and Election Commission of India: Conduct of Elections, Rules, Electoral Reforms.
  • Local Government Institutions: Functioning and reforms.
  • Constitutional and Statutory Bodies: Comptroller and Auditor General, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, National Commission for Human Rights, National Commission for Women, National Commission for Minorities.
  • State, Economy, and Development: Nature of Indian State, Development Planning Model, New Economic Policy, Growth, and Human Development.
  • Process of globalization: social and economic implications.
  • Identity Politics: Religion, Tribe, Caste, Region, Language. Social Movements: Dalit, Tribal, Women, Farmers, labour 
  • Civil Society Groups: Non-Party Social Formations, Non-Governmental Organisations, Social Action Groups.
  • Regionalisation of Indian Politics: Reorganisation of Indian States, States as Political and Economic Units, Sub-State Regions, Regional Disparities, Demand for New States,
  • Gender and Politics in India: Issues of Equality and Representation.
  • Ideology and Social Basis of Political Parties: National Parties, State Parties.
  • Electoral Politics: Participation, Contestation, Representation, Emerging Trends
  • Public Administration: meaning and Evolution; Public and private administration Approaches: System Theory, Decision Making, Ecological Approach
  • Public administration theories and concepts: Scientific Management Theory, Rational Choice theory, New Public Administration, Development Administration,
  • Comparative Public Administration, New Public Management, changing nature of Public Administration in the era of Liberalization and Globalisation 
  • Theories and Principles of Organization: Scientific Management Theory, Bureaucratic Theory, Human Relations Theory
  • Managing the organization: Theories of leadership and motivation.
  • Organizational Communication: Theories and Principles, Chester Bernard Principles of Communication, Information Management in the organization
  • Managing Conflict in the Organization: Mary Parker Follett
  • Management by Objectives- Peter Drucker

Unit 10: Governance and Public Policy in India

  • Governance, good governance, and democratic governance, the role of the state, civil
  • society and individuals.
  • Accountability and control: Institutional mechanism for checks and balances, legislative control over the executive, administrative and budgetary control, control through parliamentary committees, judicial control over legislature and executive, administrative culture, corruption, and administrative reforms
  • Institutional mechanisms for good governance: Right to Information, Consumer Protection Act, Citizen Charter; Grievance redress system: Ombudsman, Lokpal, Lokayukta
  • Grassroots Governance: Panchayati Raj Institutions and their functioning Planning and Development: Decentralised planning, planning for development, sustainable development, participatory development, e-governance; NITI Aayog
  • Public policy as an instrument of socio-economic development: public policies with special reference to housing, health, drinking water, food security, MNREGA, NHRM, RTE
  • Monitoring and evaluation of public policy; mechanisms of making governance process accountable: jansunwai, social audit.

UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2024 In Hindi

  • यूनिट 1: राजनीतिक सिद्धांत
  • यूनिट 2: राजनीतिक विचार
  • यूनिट 3: भारतीय राजनीतिक विचार
  • यूनिट 4: तुलनात्मक राजनीतिक विश्लेषण
  • यूनिट 5: अंतर्राष्ट्रीय संबंध
  • यूनिट 6: भारत की विदेश नीति
  • यूनिट 7: भारत में राजनीतिक संस्थान
  • इकाई 8: भारत में राजनीतिक प्रक्रियाएँ
  • यूनिट 9: लोक प्रशासन
  • यूनिट 10: भारत में शासन और सार्वजनिक नीति

UGC NET Political Science Exam Pattern 2024

How do i prepare for ugc net political science.

  • Analyze the UGC NET Political Science syllabus and exam pattern thoroughly before starting the preparation. Knowledge of the syllabus will help you to discover important and unimportant topics and then save the wastage of your time.
  • If you pick up a topic such as Political Theory, then you should first cover the basic concepts as it will help you to learn advanced-level topics easily.
  • Pick the books and study material recommended by experts and previous toppers to develop conceptual clarity for all the topics in a better manner.
  • Practice previous year's question papers, UGC NET sample papers, and mock tests to discover your strong and weak areas and improve your question-solving speed and accuracy.
  • Prepare short notes for all the Political Science topics as these notes are helpful in last-minute revision.

Best Books for UGC NET Political Science Syllabus

  • Political Theory: An Introduction by Rajeev Bhargava and Ashoka Acharya
  • A History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx by Subrata Mukherjee and Sushila Ramaswamy (2nd Edition)
  • Indian Political Thought: Themes and Thinkers by Himanshu Roy and M. P Singh
  • Comparative Politics by J.C Johari
  • International Relations by VN Khanna
  • Foreign Policy of India Book by V N Khanna and Leslie K Kumar
  • Indian Polity by M. Laxmikant
  • Indian Government and Politics by Fadia and Fadia
  • Public Administration in a Globalizing World by Bidyut Chakrabarty and Prakash Chand
  • Public Policy: Formulation, Implementation, and Evaluation by R.K Sapru

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  • How to prepare for UGC NET Political Science syllabus? + UGC NET Political Science syllabus requires a systematic and focused approach. The detailed syllabus is given above in the article.
  • What is the UGC NET Political Science Syllabus? + The UGC NET Political Science Syllabus is divided into ten units as Political Theory, Political Thought, Indian Political Thought, Comparative Political Analysis, International Relations, etc.
  • Which books are best to cover the UGC NET Political Science syllabus? + Some of the best books to excel in the UGC NET Political Science syllabus are Political Theory: An Introduction by Rajeev Bhargava and Ashoka Acharya, A History of Political Thought: Plato to Marx by Subrata Mukherjee and Sushila Ramaswamy (2nd Edition), Indian Political Thought: Themes and Thinkers by Himanshu Roy and M. P Singh, and Comparative Politics by J.C Johari.
  • How difficult is the UGC NET exam in Political Science? + As per the previous year's exam analysis, the overall difficulty level of this Political Science question is found moderate in nature. Hence one can expect questions to be moderately difficult in the upcoming exam.
  • How to start preparation for UGC NET exam in Political Science? + To prepare well for UGC NET Political Science, candidates should refer to the latest syllabus and exam pattern, pick high-quality books to cover the concepts, and attempt unlimited mock tests and previous years' papers to achieve favorable results.
  • What is UGC NET? + UGC-NET exam is conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) twice a year to determine the eligibility of deserving candidates for ‘Assistant Professor’ and ‘Junior Research Fellowship Assistant Professor’ in Indian Universities and Colleges
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  1. Comparative Politics Research Paper Topics

    Comparative Politics Research Paper Topics. The impact of different electoral systems on party systems. The role of civil society in promoting democratic norms and practices. Comparative analysis of the welfare state in advanced industrial democracies. The effect of gender quotas on political representation.

  2. PDF Guidelines for Research Paper Comparative Politics 2019

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    Topics & Ideas: Political Theory. An analysis of the impact of feminism on political theory and the concept of citizenship in Saudi Arabia in the context of Vision 2030. A comparative study of the political philosophies of Marxism and liberalism and their influence on modern politics. An examination of how the Covid-19 pandemic affected the ...

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    Digitale Jahrestagung. 4. Oktober 2021, per zoom. Call for Papers: Challenges to Comparative Politics - new topics, concepts and methods. Comparative Politics currently faces numerous challenges, as it has been emphasized by one important figure of the discipline recently. As Philippe Schmitter states, "Comparative Politics "should not ...

  5. Comparative Political Studies: Sage Journals

    Comparative Political Studies (CPS) published fourteen times a year, offers scholarly work on comparative politics at both the cross-national and intra-national levels.Dedicated to relevant, in-depth analyses, CPS provides the timeliest methodology, theory, and research in the field of comparative politics. Average time from submission to first decision: 33 days View full journal description

  6. Home

    Introduction. This guide focuses on the topics in your course and outlines research strategies and resources for the work you are doing. Use the searches and linked examples as jumping off points for exploration. Use the Background page to help in developing research questions and understanding the broader context for your specific topics.

  7. PDF POL4: Comparative Politics

    2. Brief description of the paper Comparative politics uses the method of comparison as a way of exploring national political dynamics. The paper is divided into two parts: a lecture series plus accompanying supervisions in Lent term; and a set of modules consisting of 4 to 6 lectures each (of which students choose

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    The "Comparative Political Data Set" (CPDS) is a collection of political and institutional country-level data provided by Prof. Dr. Klaus Armingeon and collaborators at the University of Berne. It consists of annual data for 36 democratic countries for the period of 1960 to 2014 or since their transition to democracy.

  9. 12 Comparative Politics: An Overview

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    Readings. Readings are listed under the specific session for which they are required. There is a logic to the choice of sessions and to the order in which readings are listed. Readings total 50-100 pages per week and should take you at most 4 hours to do. If you have trouble completing the readings in that time, please see me or the teaching ...

  12. POL S 332 A: Topics in Comparative Politics

    POL S 332 A: Topics in Comparative Politics. Winter 2019; View in MyPlan. View in Time Schedule. Meeting Time: TTh 4:30pm - 6:20pm. ... Pick a topic for your final research paper. You should do this by identifying a central question relating to an issue in coalition politics in Western Europe today. ... Term paper: 40 % Academic Integrity: ...

  13. PDF Field Seminar in Comparative Politics

    The term paper should be approximately 25 pages in length and is due at the end of the semester. ... The paper can be on any topic in comparative politics, regardless of whether it is covered in the course, but it should involve substantial outside research; no more than one-third of the sources should be drawn from

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    2.3 Political Science. The 1950s comparative politics revolution shifted that field from one that tended to emphasize public law and to describe the legal institutions of foreign governments to the explanation of political behavior in structural and functional terms. Gabriel Almond and Bingham Powell (1978 ), for instance, used the ...

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    Drawing on random or tangential material and ideas from outside of the class. Lack of clarity in argumentation, typically manifested in the absence of a cogent argument at the beginning and disorganized presentation of supporting statements, rather than a clear logic flow. Not addressing potential counterarguments or tradeoffs.

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    INTRODUCTION TO COMPARATIVE POLITICS This stimulating and accessible introduction to comparative politics offers a fresh perspective on the fundamentals of political science. Its central theme is the enduring political significance of the modern state despite severe chal-lenges to its sovereignty. There are three main sections to the book. The ...

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  19. 340 Political Science Research Topics & Ideas for Your Paper

    Political Science Research Paper Topics on Comparative Politics. Comparative politics research topics offer a window into how different political systems operate, what works, and what needs reevaluation. ... The impact of political term limits on governance. Government initiatives in curbing the opioid crisis.

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    Comparative Politics Term Paper Topics - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or read online for free. comparative politics term paper topics

  21. Topics in Comparative Political Economy

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