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POLITICAL PARTIES, ELECTIONS AND CORRUPTION

Module code: PO209
Credits: 5
Semester: 2
Quota: 125
Department: SOCIOLOGY
International:

	Overview
	The late Mair (2009) has, among others, put forward some key contemporary evidence that parties are changing from �mass parties� into �cartel parties� and becoming more distant from both the electorate and party members. This course examines the implications of such change. If democracy requires parties and parties are in decline, is democracy then in trouble? Parties and representative democratic government require electoral systems. What impact do different electoral systems have on political parties relationship with their voters and power seeking behavior? Is electoral reform a mechanism to strengthen democracy and restore voter or citizens faith in political parties? Are some electoral systems less prone to corruption and more likely to gain the trust of the electorate? Which countries (or systems) are more prone to specific types of corruption? If parties are now less representative or connected to either voters or members who are they connected to and whose interests do they represent? Are voters now less important than political party funders? What are the implications of state funding of political parties? Is the nature of and type of political party corruption likely to change?

Overview

The late Mair (2009) has, among others, put forward some key contemporary evidence that parties are changing from �mass parties� into �cartel parties� and becoming more distant from both the electorate and party members. This course examines the implications of such change. If democracy requires parties and parties are in decline, is democracy then in trouble? Parties and representative democratic government require electoral systems. What impact do different electoral systems have on political parties relationship with their voters and power seeking behavior? Is electoral reform a mechanism to strengthen democracy and restore voter or citizens faith in political parties? Are some electoral systems less prone to corruption and more likely to gain the trust of the electorate? Which countries (or systems) are more prone to specific types of corruption? If parties are now less representative or connected to either voters or members who are they connected to and whose interests do they represent? Are voters now less important than political party funders? What are the implications of state funding of political parties? Is the nature of and type of political party corruption likely to change?

	Learning Outcomes
	On successful completion of the module, students should be able to: Students will be able to critically discuss contemporary challenges concerning political parties Compare and contrast the strenghs and weaknesses of electoral systems Access and use international sources of data concerning political corruption Work in small groups to develop and present country case studies

Teaching & Learning methods

Assessment

	Autumn Supplementals/Resits
	Are supplemental/resit registrations permitted? Yes Where applicable, Autumn repeat students may submit continuous assessment work by a date before the Autumn examination, which will be specified by the department. Students are responsible for familiarising themselves with this deadline. If students do not submit by the deadline, the existing continuous assessment mark will be carried forward to the Autumn. No continuous assessment work will be accepted after this date. The maximum mark awarded to a piece of continuous assessment submitted for the Autumn repeat examinations is 50%. These penalties will apply except upon presentation of a medical certificate covering the relevant period or in other extremely extenuating circumstances, which must be communicated to, and accepted by, the lecturer/tutor prior to, or immediately after, the relevant deadline. Is Supplemental Continuous Assessment registration permitted? No Is Supplemental Continuous Assessment capped? No

Autumn Supplementals/Resits

	Timetable
	This timetable is not currently available, please contact the Sociology Department.

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Courses / Module

POLITICAL PARTIES, ELECTIONS AND CORRUPTION