Comparative Politics
Overview
The School is home to many researchers who take comparative approaches. We have a global reputation for the study of diverse political systems, from China and the United States, to the European Union and South East Asia. Our work both compares different forms of national politics and pursues specialisation in specific nations and regions. These include comparative public policy, national systems and institutions, and defence and foreign policy.
At Melbourne, our teaching and research in comparative politics embodies significant intellectual diversity. We use qualitative and quantitative methods. We embrace multiple theoretical directions and the practice of politics in the nations we study.
Our students have the opportunity to study in many of the nations and regions in which our scholars specialise. These include India, Indonesia, China, the EU, UK, and North America.
We have a strong commitment to public research dissemination and engagement. Our work appears regularly in the mainstream press, nationally and internationally. Our research is published in leading university presses and journals.
Research fields
| American politics and foreign policy | Asian regionalism | Business and government | Campaigns and elections |
| Chinese government and foreign policy | Corruption and politics | Conflict resolution | Crisis management |
| Digital politics | European Union | Indian politics and society | Latin American politics |
| Middle Eastern politics | Politics and the media | Public policymaking | Race, ethnicity, and nationalism |
| Religion and politics | Science and policy | Terrorism and insurgency |
Geographic regions of research
| Australia and New Zealand | Caribbean | Central America | Central Asia |
| Eastern Africa | Eastern Asia | Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) | Melanesia |
| Micronesia | Middle East and North Africa | Northern Africa | Northern America |
| Northern Europe | Polynesia | South America | South-eastern Asia |
| Southern Africa | Southern Asia | Southern Europe | Western Africa |
| Western Asia | Western Europe |
Our research projects
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Comparative Network on Refugee Externalisation Policies (CONREP)
The Jean Monnet Erasmus+ Network grant CONREP is an international, interdisciplinary network of experts from six universities in Australia and Europe.
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Getting welfare to work: A research program on governance reforms
This program of research aims to model and explain the governance dynamics of welfare to work in Australia and comparator nations.
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Multicultural belonging and national identity in Canada (2006-17)
Conservative and Liberal Multiculturalism, General and Specific Diversity.
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Scaling-up the impact of voluntary sustainability standards
From niche labels to catalysts to systemic change?
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Understanding the causes and consequences of political and institutional trust
This project used a series of cross-national survey experiments allowing us to better understand the causes and consequences of political and institutional trust.
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International literature review of approaches to state support for peace processes
The project comprises an international, interdisciplinary network of experts from University of Melbourne and from across Africa and Europe.
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Federalism and multiethnic political parties in Asia: Blending accommodation and moderation
This project aims to discover the kinds of hybrid federal designs and electoral systems that are most likely to be successful in multiethnic countries in Asia.
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Australia’s relationship with the European Union: from tensions to new paradigms
This project assesses relations between Australia and the EU and the opportunity for this engagement to further develop around a range of policies and forums.