Checking date: 23/05/2025 19:21:27


Course: 2025/2026

Electoral analysis
(14095)
Dual Bachelor in International Studies and Political Science (Plan: 506 - Estudio: 320)


Coordinating teacher: ORRIOLS GALVE, LLUIS

Department assigned to the subject: Social Sciences Department

Type: Compulsory
ECTS Credits: 6.0 ECTS

Course:
Semester:




Requirements (Subjects that are assumed to be known)
Political actors Political behaviour
Objectives
This course examines the function of elections as a mechanism of political representation from the perspective of democratic theory. It provides an in-depth analysis of citizens¿ electoral behavior and the main determinants of voting decisions¿such as social position, identities, values, and short-term factors like government performance, policies, candidates, and electoral campaigns. The course aims to understand the logic behind voters¿ decision-making as a way to explore the limits of democracy and assess the extent to which elections truly fulfill the ideal of self-government envisioned by democratic theory.
Description of contents: programme
1. Democratic Theory and Political Representation: Elections as a Tool of Representation 2. Electoral Systems: Elements, Typologies, Effects, and Consequences 3. Theoretical Models of Electoral Behavior 4. The Social Bases of Voting 5. Identity, Ideology, and Electoral Behavior 6. Candidates, Policies, Events, and Electoral Campaigns 7. Elections and Accountability 8. Tools for Electoral Analysis
Learning activities and methodology
In lecture sessions the teacher will explain the main foundations of each unit. Some resources could be assigned to students in order to prepare the course. Work in seminar sessions will deal with comparing and analyzing cases suggested by the lecturer. The lecturer will suggest the resources and references to be used by the students prior to each seminar sesión. Those resources will be written both in Spanish and English.
Assessment System
  • % end-of-term-examination/test 60
  • % of continuous assessment (assigments, laboratory, practicals...) 40

Calendar of Continuous assessment


Extraordinary call: regulations
Basic Bibliography
  • Arzheimer,K., Evans, J. & Lewis-Beck, M.. The SAGE Handbook of Electoral Behaviour. SAGE. 2017
  • Bermeo, N. and L. Bartels. Mass politics in tough times. Oxford University Press . 2014
  • Campbell, A., Converse, P. E., Miller, W. E., & Stokes, D. E. . The American voter. Wiley. 1960
  • Farrell, David M. Electoral Systems: A Comparative Introduction. . St Martin¿s. 2001
  • Gallagher, Michael, and Paul Mitchell, eds. The Politics of Electoral Systems. . Oxford University Press. 2005
  • Penades, A. & J. M. Pavía. La reforma electoral perfecta. Catarata. 2016
  • Pitkin, H.. El concepto de representación. Centro de Estudios Políticos y Constitucionales. 1986
  • Przeworski, A.. Qué esperar de la democracia. Límites y posibilidades del autogobierno. Siglo Veintiuno Editores, . 2010
  • Przeworski, A., S. C. Stokes and B. Manin. Democracy, Accountability, and Representation. Cambridge University Press. 1999
  • Russel J. Dalton and Hans-Dieter Klingeman (Eds). The Oxford Handbook of Political Behavior. Oxford University Press. 2009
  • Taagepera, R. y M. S. Shugart. Seats and Votes. The Effects of Electoral Systems. Yale University Press. 1989

The course syllabus may change due academic events or other reasons.