Gov~1109 Comparative Institutional Design Pippa Norris Spring 2012

Structure 1.Course synopsis 2.Aims and objectives 3.Weekly schedule of topics 4.Assignments 5.Readings and materials 6.Sectioning and organization 7.Bio 8.Paired discussion exercise

1. Course synopsis Comparing worldwide and over time: 1.The principles, processes and goals of constitutional design 2.The mechanisms of institutional design –Electoral systems –Types of executives –Decentralization/federalism –Innovative reforms 3. The consequences and impact of constitutional designs

2. Aims and objectives Expand your knowledge and understanding about comparative institutions Deepen skills and techniques in comparative politics Provide an overview of major debates in the research literature Develop awareness of policy implications of institutional design choices

3. Weekly course schedule #Monday LectureClass topic 123 JanIntroduction and course overview 230 JanThe principles, goals and constraints of constitutional design 36 FebElectoral rules and processes 413 FebTypes of executives 527 Feb (Paper I)Sub-national governance: federalism and decentralization 65 MarHuman rights and the judiciary 719 MarRole playing case study: constitutional choices 826 Mar (Memo)Consequences for economic growth 92 Apr (Samuels)Consequences for human development and social welfare 109 AprConsequences for conflict and stability 1116 AprConsequences for the quality of democratic governance 1223 Apr (Paper II)Conclusions and review Examination period

4. Assignments 1. Paper. 20%. Institutional Choices. Due 2pm Monday 5 th March. 1,500 word essay. Pick one of the assigned topics. 2. Briefing memo: 10% Due 2pm Monday 26 th March. Two-sided memo answering the following question: What would be your recommendations for the type of electoral system, type of executive, and type of decentralization for the new Nepal constitution and why? 3. Paper. 20%. Institutional consequences: Due 2pm Monday 23 rd April. 1,500 word essay. Pick one of the assigned topics for your paper 4. Final examination. 35% Essay based examination where you are asked to write two essays out of a choice of 10 questions. This will be held during the spring examination period. 5. Section attendance and class participation: 15%

5. Readings and materials Pippa Norris Driving Democracy. CUP Articles available through Hollis Citation Linker – add DOI Supplementary bibliography for assignments Online resource class website

6. Sections and organizations Teaching fellow: Dr Kirsti Samuels Weekly section meetings starting the week beginning Monday 30 th January. Please select all of the section times you can attend Mondays AM Tuesdays AM Wednesdays PM Fridays PM

7. Bio

8. Paired discussion exercise USAID consultancy Divide up into pairs for this exercise. You will have minutes to discuss and develop your key points in pairs then we will have a general class discussion for minutes to compare your recommendations. You have been asked to serve as a consultant to US-AID, the main US government agency concerned with strengthening democratic governance in developing countries. See briefing…

What would be your recommendations to USAID in terms of…: (1) Which of these three countries would you prioritize for aid spending on democratic governance and why? (2) Which are the two or three most urgent problems of democratic governance facing these countries where you recommend USAID intervention and why? (3) What types of programs and actions would you recommend to address these problems and why?

Next class: Monday 30 th Jan 2-4 The principles and goals of constitutional design Read Lijphart, Ginsburg and Samuels (any two cases)