Department of Comparative Politics

Comparative politics is the systematic study of political institutions, organisations, processes and behaviour at the local, national and international level. Comparisons across political systems and over time are central to the subject. The main focus of the research is democracy and democratisation in a wide sense, thematically and geographically.

Do you want to study Comparative Politics?

We offer study programs in Comparative Politics, European Studies and Democracy Building.
- Study programs

- For exchange students

If you need information regarding your studies, you can contact the student adviser or The Information Centre at The Faculty of Social Sciences.

New professor

Arjan is the new professor in Comparative Territorial Democracy at the Department

Arjan Schakel has been appointed as professor in Comparative Territorial Democracy at the Department of Comparative Politics. He was previously research professor at the department where he in 2019 started to work on the research project "Strengthening Regional Democracy" funded by a Trond Mohn...

Fernand Braudel Fellowship

Creativity, networking and innovative thinking in Florence on the Fernand Braudel fellowship

From her office with a view over the Tuscany hills in Badia Fiesolana, Adriana Bunea reports on the opportunities that the fellowship provides – both on an academic and on a personal level.

New associate professor

Welcome to Aaron as department’s associate professor of Arctic geopolitics

Aaron John Spitzer, until recently a førstelektor (associate teaching professor) at UiB’s Department of Comparative Politics, has been promoted to the rank of associate professor. His position is connected to the Nansen-Initiative with a focus on governance and geopolitics of the Arctic.

New associate professor II

Åse is newly employed as associate professor II at Sampol

Åse Gilje Østensen is associate professor at the Royal Norwegian Naval Academy, and is from August also employed as associate professor II at the department.

News

Dive into the structures and political dynamics of regional democracy in Europe

Arjan Schakel and Alexander Verdoes have been part of developing the recently launched European Regional Democracy Map (ERDM) - An interactive hub that allows both researchers and non-experts to explore and compare a wide array of data on regional democracy in Europe and the EU.

Research at the Department of Comparative Politics is organised in three research groups.

Democracy and Development

Citizens, Opinion, Representation

Challenges in Advanced Democracies