The course is focused on comparative analysis of transition politics in V4 countries . The topics are selected in a way that allows students to obtain first the basic survey and comparative methodological basis about political systems, political institutions and processes in Visegrad group countries.

In the second part, course is organized as a set of seminars devoted to particular issues in contemporary European politics using selected country-studies as examples and background for in-class discussion. At the end of the course the students shall become familiar with comparative methods in the analysis of political systems, political institutions and processes that are typical for the developed V4 countries. First, students get basic introduction to the issue of system comparison of democratic states, including basic classification and typology of democratic systems (parliamentary, presidential, direct democracies). While special attention will be paid to political changes in the region after 1989, major social and economic developments will be discussed as well. Students will thus familiarize themselves with a complex set of issues that have influenced the current way of life in the studied countries (V4 countries and Ukraine). Finally, the position papers written in this course shall improve the abilities of students in the comparative-oriented research and writing. Student will also be able to assess the main challenges and to discuss key issues of contemporary European politics, for example: How were these countries influenced by EU accession? What difficulties did they meet on their road to democracy? What are the main trends in their current political, social and economic development? Answering such a wide range of questions requires usage of analytical tools of both political science and contemporary history approaches.

At the end of the course students should be able to assess the relevance of the concept of Central Europe. They should understand the internal political dynamics of CEE countries and explain its periodization. Generally, students will have an methodological tools to analyze the main trends of economic, social and political development in CEE and compare the different pathways of development in the studied countries. The course is based on combination of lectures and seminars. Lectures will introduce basic notions, concepts and techniques of comparative politics research. Seminars will be based at class discussion concerning particular country case studies in comparative perspective.

The course deals mainly with V4 countries' experience of designing the democratic institution and strong security systems. The comparative 3 ECTS (90 hours) per one academic year perspective gives a possibility to relate the V4 countries’ way to democracy with Ukrainian case.

The general course`s aim is to reveal the main aspects of transition to establishing the democratic political system in V4 countries.

The main objectives of the course are:

  • 1) to give a wide perspective of transitional processes in Central and Eastern Europe;
  • 2) to show and analyze the specific of democratic transition in particular V4 countries (Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary);
  • 3) to show the effective strategies for social and political development for Ukraine by using the experience of V4 countries;
  • 4) to describe the variety of political and social processes in CEE;
  • 5) to build the preconditions for wide cooperation between V4 countries and Ukraine.
  • At the end of the course, the students are expected to:
  • 1) understand the specific of V4 countries’ transformation process and democratization, to relate it with Ukrainian case;
  • 2) to have knowledge in the main aspects of politics, government, and the Constitution and analyze how these aspects influence the political, cultural, economic and social development of V4 countries and Ukraine;
  • 3) compare the different political systems;
  • 4) understand the positive experience of V4 countries’ transition and evaluate the possibility to use it in Ukrainian case;
  • 5) describe the main vectors of international policy of V4 countries and show the results of its for Ukraine;
  • 6) explain the important issues in sphere of European security;
  • 7) get skills of critical thinking, analyzing the issues, ability to be active in group communication and discussion, writing the scientific paper;
  • 8) develop skills concerning an effective activity in sphere of public policy, a communication with authorities, and using the success experience of political institutions’ modernization;
  • 9) develop competencies in English language.

Teachers (Coordinators):

Vitalii Lebediuk – PhD, Doc., Associate Professor of Department of Political Science, Dean of Faculty of Political Science and Informational Management;

Dmytro Shevchuk – Doctor of Science, Associate Professor of Department of Culture Studies and Philosophy.

Guest Lecturers:

Peter Terem, PhDr, Professor of Faculty of Political Science and International Relations, Matej Bel University in Banska Bystrica (Slovakia);

Petr Jüptner, PhDr, Institute of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University (Czech Republic);

Tomasz Stępniewski, Dr hab., Faculty of Social Sciences, The John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin (Poland).

Jan Charvát, Ph.D., Institute of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University (Czech Republic)

Miloš Brunclík, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Political Science, Institute of Political Studies, Faculty of Social Sciences, Charles University (Czech Republic)