Why does state capacity vary so much across countries? Why is democracy so different in Europe, Latin America or the US? Why does authoritarianism emerge in some countries but not in others? This course teaches how to better understand political dynamics around the world. As students of comparative politics, we look at the empirical puzzles that we observe and seek to understand variation in state behaviour, political systems, economic development, etc. To do so, we compare political institutions, policy processes, decision-making procedures, and political life across the globe. Using the latest and most relevant research in the field of comparative politics, this courses examines competing explanations to important questions regarding the state, regime and government types, politics of development, among others.