GV439 Half Unit
Government and Politics in Central and Eastern Europe
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Vesselin Dimitrov
Availability
This course is available on the MSc in European and International Politics and Policy, MSc in European and International Politics and Policy (LSE and Bocconi), MSc in European and International Politics and Policy (LSE and Sciences Po), MSc in Political Science (Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics) and MSc in Political Science (Political Behaviour). This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission.
This course is not controlled access. If you request a place and meet the criteria, you are likely to be given a place.
Course content
The course provides an analytical assessment of the transition from communism to liberal democracy in Central and Eastern Europe and integration with the European Union, including the Eurozone. The course offers an in-depth analysis of institutions, party systems, government and public administration, nationalism, and EU integration, including the Eurozone. Topics covered include: The Communist system. Constitution-making and the development of democratic party systems. Reform of executive institutions and public administration. (Mis)management of ethnic conflict: the case of Yugoslavia. Integration with the European Union, including the Eurozone.
Teaching
10 hours of lectures and 20 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.
Formative assessment
Essay in Autumn Term Week 7
Essay in Autumn Term Week 11
Students are required to produce two essays in the Autumn Term.
Indicative reading
V Dimitrov, K H Goetz and H Wollmann, Governing after Communism: Institutions and Policymaking; A Przeworski, Democracy and the Market; H Grabbe, The EU's Transformative Power: Europeanization through Conditionality in Central and Eastern Europe; J Elster et al, Institutional Design in Post-Communist Societies; R Taras (Ed), Postcommunist Presidents; R Crampton, Eastern Europe in the Twentieth Century, 2nd edn; S White, P G Lewis and J Batt (Eds), Developments in Central and East European Politics 5.
Assessment
Exam (100%), duration: 120 Minutes in the January exam period
Key facts
Department: Government
Course Study Period: Autumn Term
Unit value: Half unit
FHEQ Level: Level 7
CEFR Level: Null
Keywords: Central and Eastern Europe, Politics, Institutions, Policy-Making, Communism, Democracy, Nationalism, European Integration
Total students 2024/25: 13
Average class size 2024/25: 13
Controlled access 2024/25: YesCourse selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Leadership
- Self-management
- Team working
- Problem solving
- Application of information skills
- Communication
- Application of numeracy skills
- Specialist skills