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Lecturer(s)
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Bláha Petr, PhDr. Ph.D.
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Charvát Jakub, Mgr. Ph.D.
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Course content
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1. Introduction to Visegrad Europe: Origins, rationale and relevance of the V4 as a political and analytical concept. 2. Historical Legacies of Central Europe: Imperial rule, interwar statehood, World War II and their long-term political consequences. 3. Communist Rule in V4 Countries: Similarities and Differences:E egime types, political control, society?state relations. 4. 1989 as a Critical Juncture: Paths to regime change and divergent transition trajectories. 5. Democratic Transition and Consolidation in Comparative Perspective: Institutional design, sequencing, and early reform choices. 6. Political Institutions in the V4: Executive?legislative relations, presidents, constitutional courts. 7. Party Systems and Electoral Competition: Party families, volatility, realignment and dealignment. 8. Elections and Electoral Systems in the V4: Rules, outcomes, and political consequences. 9. Populism and the Radical Right in Central Europe: Actors, narratives, voter bases, and policy impact. 10. Democracy Backsliding and Rule of Law Conflicts: Hungary and Poland in comparative perspective; Czechia and Slovakia as contrasts. 11. V4 Countries and the European Union: Europeanization, Euroscepticism, conflicts and cooperation. 12. Society, Identity and Political Culture in the V4: National identity, historical memory, cleavage structures. 13. Public Policy Challenges in the V4: Migration, sustainability, welfare state, and economic governance. 14. The Future of V4 Politics: Convergence vs. divergence, regional cooperation, and global challenges.
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Learning activities and teaching methods
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unspecified, unspecified, unspecified, unspecified, unspecified
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Learning outcomes
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The course introduces students to the political development of the Visegrad Four countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia) from a comparative perspective. It focuses on the historical legacies of Central Europe, paths of democratic transition after 1989, institutional design, party systems and electoral competition. Special attention is paid to contemporary challenges such as populism, democratic backsliding, rule of law conflicts and relations with the European Union. The aim of the course is to enable students to understand both similarities and divergences within the V4 region and to place them in a broader European and comparative context.
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to compare political systems and developments in the Visegrad Four countries using basic concepts of comparative politics. They will understand the role of historical legacies in shaping contemporary political institutions and party systems. Students will be able to analyze current political challenges in the V4 region, including populism and democratic backsliding, and assess their implications for democracy and the European Union. They will also develop the ability to work with comparative data and academic literature and to present their arguments in written analytical form.
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Prerequisites
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N/A
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Assessment methods and criteria
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unspecified
Students are required to actively participate in seminars and to prepare assigned readings. The course is completed by a final written paper focused on a selected comparative topic related to V4 politics. The topic must be approved by the course instructor. The paper must meet academic standards, follow the rules of academic ethics and proper citation, and have a length of 9?11 standard pages.
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Recommended literature
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