Aims

This module focuses on how the UK's key political institutions, processes and actors operate in comparison to other democratic political systems. It seeks to increase our understanding by asking important questions such as: How does the UK's majoritarian model of democracy compare to more consensual models of democracy? How does the UK compare in terms of the distribution of power between institutions and actors? How does the UK compare in terms of realising democratic ideals, such as safeguarding democratic freedoms, and enhancing representation and participation?
The module will use these comparisons in order to consider the state of UK democracy through two key themes - 'change' and 'reform': How has the UK's political system changed over time and what is the case for further reforms? How can the UK learn from other democracies in order to modernise and improve it's political system?
The module aims:
• To secure a foundational knowledge and understanding of the key institutions, processes and actors within democratic political systems
• To develop a comparative perspective of the UK political system through an awareness of historical development and international comparison
• To evaluate the relevant concepts, issues and debates related to the reform of UK politics

Outline Of Syllabus

Lecture topics may include:
1.       Introduction: comparing political systems
2.       Democracy: majoritarian and consensual models
3.       Constitutions and courts
4.       The UK constitution: the case for codification?
5.       Legislatures (lower chambers)
6.       UK House of Commons: the empowerment of Parliament?
7. Legislatures (upper chambers)
8. UK House of Lords: replace or reform?
9.       Executives (Presidents & Prime Ministers)
10.       UK Prime Minister and Cabinet: collective cabinet government?
11.       Sub-National Government (federal & unitary states)
12.       UK Devolution (Scotland & Wales): can federalism save the Union?
13. UK Devolution (N. Ireland) & Local Government (England)
14. Essay advice lecture
15. Political Parties (party systems)
16. The UK's party systems: the decline of 2-party politics?
17.       Simulation assessment briefing
18.       Political Participation (voters)
19. Elections (electoral systems)
20. UK electoral systems: is FPTP fit for purpose?
21. Interest Groups (lobbying & influence)
22. UK Interest Groups: pluralism & transparency?

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The lectures will introduce students to the key information, concepts and debates that will provide the basis for self-directed study and seminar discussion. These lectures will draw upon a range of theoretical and empirical examples drawn from literature on comparative political systems and UK politics.

The seminars will provide an environment in which students can explore and deepen their understanding of the issues raised in lectures and readings. This will be done through a simulation-based approach, in which students role-play a real-world political scenario, such as a Parliamentary Committee hearing. This experiential approach to learning will be used to explore the key issues and arguments related to the course, provide the context in which students will develop many of the skills outcomes associated with the module, and help develop critical thinking and in-depth knowledge of the core topics. The seminars, with their requirement for advance preparation, will promote self-management skills, while seminar discussions will provide opportunities to develop and enhance interaction and group-working skills.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

1. The 2000 word essay will provide students with the opportunity to explore aspects of the UK political system in greater depth. The essays will provide a means of assessing their ability to place and synthesise the material gained from lectures and seminars in addition to empirical, conceptual and theoretical understandings derived from their own independent study. The essays will also assess students’ ability to critically and succinctly evaluate such material.

2. The professional skills assessment will involve assessing student contributions to seminar discussions based on preparation tasks, and will help to incentivise independent study and student engagement.

3. The simulation assessment will provide students with a means of improving their transferable skills particularly relating to oral presentation, problem solving and team working skills via a role-playing scenario related to a relevant topic in the study of the UK political system. The topic may vary from year to year.