This course aims at examining the constitutional traditions and forms of government of Italy, Britain and the USA from a historical and comparative perspective. These countries are examples of representative democracy which are similar in many respects, but nonetheless differ in significant ways. In the first part of the course, students will study the genesis and the theoretical evolution of the “modern state” and the concomitant development of the principal forms of government. Then, focusing on the selected country cases, they will examine the constitution, the organization and functioning of the executive, legislature, and judiciary, devolution and local government, and how political parties, interest groups, and the media influence policy-making. Discussion sessions will focus on specific aspects of the organisation of governments and of governmental policies, including – but not limited to - the relationship between market and democracy, corruption, liberty and pluralism.
- Trainer/in: MARCO BARDUCCI