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Comparative Politics: Can Political Systems be Perfect?

This is a Politics Subject Spotlight with Elizabeth Monaghan from the University of Hull. An interactive, cinematic course taster experience to allow students to gain insights into what it's like to study Politics.

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In this course, you’ll be introduced to comparative politics — the study of how different political systems function across the world — and why it’s key to understanding the complexity of modern democracy. You’ll explore how democratic systems vary across time, space, and structure, from minimalist models based on elections to broader definitions that include civil liberties, political culture, and participation. You’ll examine both the internal and external threats that democracies face today, including backsliding, weakened institutions, and rising authoritarianism. By comparing democracies and authoritarian regimes, you’ll develop a deeper understanding of how power is organised, maintained, and challenged. Finally, you’ll put your research and analytical skills into practice by ranking countries using core democratic indicators, before comparing your results with the Democracy Index. This course equips you with the tools to assess political systems critically, question assumptions, and understand why no democracy is perfect, but all are worth understanding.

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About University of Hull

Change the world, or change your world? At Hull, you can do both. For nearly 100 years, we’ve inspired students to think differently. Rated Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, we combine outstanding teaching with career-boosting placements. Learn from academics whose research tackles real-world challenges and shapes everything you study. Our safe, green campus in the UK’s most affordable student city has a library, sports centre, modern accommodation, cafés and bars, all within 10-minute walk. With over 130 clubs and societies, Hull is an inclusive, supportive community where every student can thrive. The University of Hull – unwritten futures available now.

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Meet the academics

Elizabeth Monaghan

Elizabeth joined the University as a politics lecturer in 2008 and was promoted to senior lecturer in 2021. She is an active member of the University's Centre for European Governance and Centre for British Politics. As well as her subject work in comparative and European politics, she is active in developing and promoting active and experiential learning. She supports programmes of placement and international learning in politics, and was previously a lecturer and trustee of the Hansard Society scholars programme. She is a frequent media contributor on the European Union and Brexit, writes for The Conversation, and is regularly involved in outreach with community groups, schools, and businesses.

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Certificate of completion

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This subject spotlight is made for students aged 16 and above, that are considering applying to University, particularly to study the subject in the title, or similar areas.

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