The proposed book is a comprehensive collection of didactic materials for the academic course “Comparative Political Science: Political Institutions and Systems of Western European Countries”, developed by Prof. Anatoliy Romaniuk and Prof. Vitalii Lytvyn. The course is implemented by the Department of Political Science within the framework of the Jean Monnet Module “Political Institutions and Systems in Europe: Comparison and Experience for Ukraine.”
The proposed book is a comprehensive collection of didactic materials for the academic course “Comparative Political Science: Political Institutions and Systems of Western European Countries”, developed by Prof. Anatoliy Romaniuk and Prof. Vitalii Lytvyn. The course is implemented by the Department of Political Science within the framework of the Jean Monnet Module “Political Institutions and Systems in Europe: Comparison and Experience for Ukraine.”
This book offers a rich compilation of didactic materials designed to cover the specific features of political and institutional development in Western Europe, with a particular focus on the evolution and functioning of democratic institutions within the context of European integration. The materials presented encompass both the historical development of political systems in Western European countries and their current state and future prospects.
The book opens with an introduction to the Jean Monnet Module “Political Institutions and Systems in Europe: Comparison and Experience for Ukraine” and the academic course itself, including the syllabus, methodological guidelines, and study materials. It then turns to the theoretical and methodological foundations of analyzing political institutions and systems in comparative political science, as well as the formation and development of political processes in Western Europe.
A central part of the book is devoted to a synthesis of the national constitutions of Western European countries, reflecting the diversity of constitutional systems in the region—from classical republics to modern constitutional monarchies. Full texts of the current constitutions of these states are included. Special attention is given to the most recent and significant constitutional changes and their impact on political systems. A separate chapter explores the key treaties of the European Union, in particular the consolidated version of the Treaty on the European Union and the Lisbon Treaty, providing insight into the supranational context in which political institutions operate.
An important aspect of the didactic materials is the examination of the structure and specific features of parliamentary formation in Western European countries, including a detailed analysis of electoral systems and their evolution from 1990 to 2025. Particular attention is paid to issues of gender equality in political institutions and the history of women’s suffrage, offering a perspective on the democratic development of the region. The book includes up-to-date statistical data on women’s representation in national parliaments and an analysis of current trends in the development of electoral systems in Western Europe.
The publication concludes with an extensive list of recommended literature, databases, and specialized projects for in-depth study of the political systems of Western European countries. This makes the book not only a teaching resource but also a guide for further research. It can be used by students, postgraduates, doctoral candidates, university faculty, policymakers, civil servants, and anyone interested in the political institutions and systems of Western European countries.
The didactic materials are available at the Department of Political Science.
Prepared with the financial support of the European Union under the Erasmus+ Programme, Jean Monnet Actions in the field of Higher Education (Module “Political Institutions and Systems in Europe: Comparison and Experience for Ukraine”, No. 101126702 – PISE-CEfU – ERASMUS-JMO-2023-HEI-TCH-RSCH).
Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.