Explore the dynamic field of comparative politics by assessing diverse democratic and non-democratic political systems and the intricate interplay between strong and weak states. Through critical analysis of cases across the globe, learners will describe political participation, institutional frameworks, and democratization processes for a variety of countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Russia, India, and Iran. Learners will analyze the complexities shaping governance across continents through a historic, cultural, and economic lens. Learners will differentiate between parliamentary versus presidential systems and evaluate challenges faced in all political systems stemming from religious, ethnic, and cultural conflicts.