https://studiegids.vu.nl/en/courses/2025-2026/W_JSM_202This course’s main objective is to make students understand the importance of institutions in shaping politics and policies. After this course, students should be able to:Define and use the concept of political institutions and discuss it in relation to the relevant literature. Describe (patterns in) the large variety of political institutions across countries and other contexts. Explain and evaluate the way in which political institutions shape political behaviour, interaction, and discourse. Explain how political institutions develop and change, why they often remain unchanged, and how institutional change is possible. Explain the differences between various strands of neo-institutionalist theory in political science. Apply various concepts and theories in the analysis of concrete cases of politics and policy-making. Present their findings in writing and reflect on them with other students.The study of political institutions occupies a central position in political science. Drawing upon both established and recent research from within the feld of comparative politics, this course surveys the major theories and findings about the causes, consequences and conduct of political institutions. It does so by first laying out the conceptual groundwork for examining the causal links between institutions, organizations and the costs of exchange (Part I). Next, this course traces the origins of and changes in political institutions through the lenses of competing schools of thought (Part II). Finally, it systematizes the variability in the shape of political institutions in democracies (Part III) and its implications for policy (Part IV).Lectures and seminars.Midterm assignment or exam (50%, assessing learning outcomes 1-7) and final exam (50%, assessing learning outcomes 1-7)To be announced in the course manual.Second-year PPE students.Please note that participation in the seminars is mandatory.