Theory of Transnational Markets and Civil Society IV

Please note that this is an indicative course schedule only. We can spend more or less time on particular topics according to students’ interests. October 5 [online]: Introduction – Australian National Elections in Comparative Context October 12: Voting Arrangements (1) The People We will assess the ways in which countries define ‘the people’ who can vote and the consequences this has. October 19: Voting Arrangements (2) Different Types of Ballot We will compare the choices that voters are asked to make in national elections and the consequences of these different choices. October 26: Voting Arrangements (3) Finding the Winners and Losers We will examine the different ways in which votes are counted to find winners in different elections. November 2: Election Campaigns (1) Parties and Leaders We will explore the dynamics of electoral competition between parties and their leaders in different electoral systems. November 9: Election Campaigns (2) Parties and Local Candidates We will examine why local candidates are more important to winning elections in some countries and less important in other countries. November 16: Election Campaigns (3) The Media and Advertising We will discuss the impact of the media and campaign advertising in election campaigns. November 23: National Holiday (no class) November 30: Election Campaigns (4) Electoral Finance We will consider whether elections are always won by the biggest spenders and whether efforts to control electoral finances work. December 7: Voter Behaviour (1) Long-Term and Short-Term Influences We will focus on what effects deep social influences (family, class, religion etc.) and short-term influences (such as issues, and the national economic outlook) have on individuals’ votes. December 14: Voter Behaviour (2) Change over Time We will discuss how voting patterns have changed over time (and what has stayed the same). December 21: Electoral Management (1) Coping with Crises We will examine how well electoral management bodies cope with crises that threaten to disrupt or prevent elections. January 4: Electoral Management (2) Maintaining Electoral Integrity We will compare the main factors that give some elections more legitimacy and integrity than others. January 11: Consequences of Different Electoral Systems We will assess the major consequences of different electoral systems on other aspects of a country’s political system. Note on taking questions from students: I am very happy to take questions from students during and after each of the course meetings. There will be opportunities for students to ask questions in the class meetings but students can ask additional questions after the classes.

In the first class in this seminar course on October 5, I will deliver an introductory presentation setting out an overview of the course and describing some key features of Australian democracy in a comparative way. There will be opportunity for questions in this introductory session. The other 12 classes will consist of guided face-to-face seminars covering the topics in the course. In some weeks, I will deliver a short introductory presentation to help start the class discussion. Students may also be asked to make brief presentations on their understanding and response to the readings in some weeks. In some seminars, students will be introduced to online resources and data bases for understanding elections. All seminars will including interactive discussions and opportunities for questions. The required reading for the course is primarily based on chapters from a recently published online book on the 2023 Australian national election (see below). Students are required to prepare for class by completing the set reading for each week before class. The seminar discussions will build on these readings and there will be opportunities to ask questions about them. Further materials will be introduced in classes to help students understand unfamiliar terms and to suggest additional reading for the assessment tasks.

The two assessment tasks are designed to build student confidence in researching and writing comparative studies of society and politics. The tasks are also designed to encourage progressive development of academic writing in English. Students must write all assessment tasks in their own words (except where they are quoting sources) and not use generative AI tools to help with their assignments. 1. Short case study. The short case study must address the following question: What is one aspect of Australian elections that we have covered in the course so far that has surprised you? Why do you find it surprising? The word length is 300-400 words. Responses must be written in the students’ own words, except where students quote and reference other sources. Due: November 30. Worth 20%. Further information will be made available during the Semester. 2. Comparative essay. In this essay, students must compare one feature of elections that differs between Australia and one other country of their choice. After describing the difference, the essay must discuss what impact, if any, this difference has on elections and/or politics more generally in the two countries. The word length is 2500-2600 words. Responses must be written in the students’ own words, except where students quote and reference other sources. Due: Exam period. Worth: 80%. We will discuss this comparative essay during the Semester.

The main textbook used in this seminar is Anika Gauja, Marian Sawer and Jill Sheppard (eds.), Watershed: The 2022 Federal Election. Canberra: ANU Press, 2023. This book contains chapters by leading Australian election experts. The book may be downloaded free or read online from the following URL: https://press.anu.edu.au/***** Other materials and links will be provided throughout the Semester via the ICT-LMS.

Apart from the main textbook, two other edited books on recent Australian national elections that are also free to download or read online are: Anika Gauja, Marian Sawer and Marian Simms (eds.), Morrison's Miracle: The 2019 Australian Federal Election. Canberra: ANU Press, 2020. Available at: https://press.anu.edu.au/***** Anika Gauja, Jennifer Curtin, Peter Chen and Juliet Pietsch (eds.), Double Disillusion: The 2016 Australian Federal Election. Canberra: ANU Press, 2018. Available at: https://press.anu.edu.au/***** A useful introduction to Australian politics (including elections) that is also available free online is: Nick Barry, Peter Chen, Yvonne Haigh, Sara C. Motta and Diana Perche (eds), Australian Politics and Policy (Junior Edition), Sydney: Sydney University Press, 2023. Available at: https://open.sydneyuniversitypress.com.au/*****

Participating in this course does not require any prior knowledge about Australian elections or Australia more generally. The course will provide this knowledge via comparison with other democracies. The course is taught in English and all required readings and materials are in English. Students will be expected to read, write and speak in English, with learning and further development of these skills a key aim. Students must prepare for each class by doing the required reading before the class. Students are expected to attend classes and participate in discussions and other class activities. Opportunities for participation will be shared fairly among all students. There will be plenty of opportunities for student feedback and suggestions throughout the course. Students are expected to take advantage of these opportunities. One key goal of this course is for students to be able to produce a well-researched and well-written paper that demonstrates their ability to undertake comparison between the key features of different countries. The final paper will demonstrate this ability.

Some useful online resources for this seminar course are: ACE The Electoral Knowledge Network https://aceproject.org/***** Comparative data and information on many aspects of national elections. Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) https://www.aec.gov.au/***** Australia’s electoral management body. This site includes information resources on how elections are conducted in Australia. The Electoral Integrity Project https://www.electoralintegrityproject.com/***** Comparative data source on the integrity of national elections based on expert evaluations. International IDEA (Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) https://www.idea.int/***** Comparative data and information on many aspects of national elections.