This module introduces students to the comparative approach to political analysis. This will involve the study of the theoretical concepts required to compare and contrast, as well as an assessment of how these might be applied in the political world. As comparison addresses both similarity and difference, students will be introduced to three very contrasting states to illustrate key comparative themes. These are China, Russia and Germany. The focus here will be on the nature of the state, institutions and the political system.

The course will provide an introduction to politics by focusing on the type of political system most familiar to first-year students, liberal democracy, which will be studied from institutional, comparative, and multilevel governance perspectives. Specifically, the course will focus upon the Scottish, United Kingdom, and European Union levels of governance. In keeping with the aims of degree programmes, this is both a stand-alone course in Politics and the first step on the road to further study in the discipline.