MA/MS in Political Science: Democracy and Representation

The master's programme examines why political parties face an increasingly indifferent or hostile electorate and why their monopoly on political representation is being challenged, addressing this both theoretically and empirically. It explores questions such as whether money rather than ideology determines election outcomes, whether parliamentary parties reflect the diversity of contemporary society, what influence party members actually have, and what role media plays in election campaigns, with particular focus on how the current state of parties and parliaments affects democratic accountability and political legitimacy. Teaching draws on staff expertise in comparative politics, political psychology and political theory.