Comparative Politics
Field of Study for the PhD: Comparative Politics
Comparative politics is the study of domestic political institutions, behavior, processes and outcomes across and within political systems—largely, but not exclusively—in nation states.
Comparative Politics at Rochester
Comparative politics students at Rochester gain a blend of substantive and technical knowledge that is unique among peer programs. Four courses teach students the central puzzles and topics of the field, incorporating core methodological approaches that range from rich historical narratives to advanced quantitative and formal theoretic analysis. The comparative curriculum provides students with tools to produce cutting-edge dissertation research. Dedicated funding for summer research trips and dissertation fieldwork is available for comparative students. Students also benefit from access to the newly established Democracy Center.
Comparative Politics Curriculum
In our seminar courses, students explore questions such as: How do repression and institutions enable authoritarian regimes to survive? How do societal divisions and inequality affect prospects for democratic transitions? Why do democratic governments change the rules under which they were elected, and what effect do those rules have? How do political parties emerge and gain support? Why and how do citizens vote? Why are some countries much poorer than others, and why have these inequalities proved so resistant to change? How does clientelism affect economic development? How is civil order sustained or eroded? What is the effect of ethnic identity and nationalism on state resilience and societal violence? For the major field, students must take all four courses listed below and pass them with an average GPA of 3.5 and no grade lower than a B-. For the minor field, students must complete three of the four courses, passing each course with a grade of B- or better. In addition to these four courses, students may take advanced topics seminars, where specific research questions are examined in greater depth.
Required Courses
- PSCI 551: State Building and Conflict
- PSCI 552: Dictatorship and Democracy
- PSCI 556: Political Institutions and Behavior
- PSCI 564: Development and Political Economy