Political Science

This specialisation unpacks the mechanics and distribution of power. Are you interested in what causes persistent inequalities in the world? Do you want to understand the growing loss of confidence in the world’s leadership or the rise of populism? What issues affect the future of democracy or the EU? What are the different types of government?

This specialisation looks at institutions, power, democracy and representation. It provides tools to analyse the ways societies are organised politically and how this affects the provision of policies and the distribution of wealth and resources. This will bring you to an understanding of how these dynamics drive inequalities within and between societies, the unequal distribution of power and representation, the difference democracy may make, and how this impacts the way decisions are made and their impact on society. The specialisation gives particular attention to how national decisions have spill-over effects beyond national boundaries may affect the international order as a whole.

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If you want to understand the complexities of global power, how conflicts are played out on the world stage, and how this impacts national politics and societies, this specialisation is for you.

Are you interested in conflicts in a changing world order? Like the rivalry between the US and China? Do you want to understand how power is shifting from West to East? What are the drivers in newer conflicts, such as who owns our natural resources, or our technology? Are new forms of cooperation possible to tackle global problems such as growing inequality or a pandemic like the coronavirus? You will debate issues like this in different settings, from large groups to tutorials. You will also look at the effects of globalisation on the world economy, on international security, and on global cooperation. You will analyse how politicians and diplomats cooperate and negotiate with multinationals, NGOs, and intergovernmental organisations such as the World Bank or the World Health Organisation.

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If you’re interested in the global political struggle to create a sustainable relationship between people and our environment, perhaps the biggest challenge of our time, this track could be for you. What, for example, are the political struggles that underpin the transition towards a fossil-free economy? How do we tackle global environmental problems with effective and legitimate governance? How can governments, cities, regions, companies and civil society join forces to create new solutions to complex problems? And what about addressing the needs of both industrialised and developing countries?

This specialisation focuses on global environmental governance; it marries international relations with environmental studies. You will unearth the complexity of global cooperation between politicians, policy-makers, multinationals, international organisations, civil society and scientists when it comes to governing the environment.

You will study environmental degradation from the perspective of politics and international relations and find out what the political aspects are of a range of environmental problems, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation and unstainable fisheries. You will develop your methodological skills and analytical toolbox, both qualitative and quantitative, and learn how to apply them to environmental challenges.

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