Throughout this semester we have evaluated different political structures and discussed the attitude, theories, and values that are associated with those structures. Because understanding different cultures has become so increasingly important in today’s world, it is a worthy investment to understand the political systems of which different societies operate. From the Comparative Method, to ticketed UN diplomats, to authoritarianism, we have discussed why political systems function the way they do and what motivates reforms toward freedom or oppression.

More importantly than the technical definition of “Comparative Politics”, however, is the way in which we now apply the knowledge we have acquired of different political systems. Now that we have acquired a greater understanding of political institutions and what motivates their operation, we now have a new set of tools than can affect attitudes and policy implementation. Personally, I believe this course incurs the most success when it equips students to have informed opinions as to what makes international political institutions “tick”. This course study of Comparative Politics was a success to me because it gives me valuable approaches to analyzing events in other parts of the world. Whether we’re talking about international humanitarian crises or the preservation of liberty, I have gained a more informed Worldview through the study of Comparative Politics.