Intro to Comparative Politics

This course provides a broad overview of the comparative politics subfield by focusing on important substantive questions about the world today. The course is organized around four questions. First, why can only some people depend upon the state to enforce order? Second, how can we account for the differences between autocracies and democracies? Third, what different institutional forms does democratic government take? Finally, are some institutions more likely than others to produce desirable social outcomes such as accountability, redistribution, and political stability? BEGINNING IN FALL 2025, BARNARD STUDENTS WISHING TO TAKE COMPARATIVE POLITICS FOR INTRO CREDIT TOWARD THE MAJOR MUST TAKE POLS-BC1510. If Barnard students enroll in POLS-UN2501, the course will only count toward their major as elective credit. Columbia College students who take POLS-BC1510 can only apply the course toward their major for elective credit. Students may not get credit for more than one of the following courses: POLS BC1510, POLS UN1501, or POLS-UN2501