Unit Code: SOP804

Unit Name: Political Systems, the State and Social Policy

Description: Policy emanates from the state and implemented, usually, through its structures. Hence the concern with the state and its role in policy. The course critically examines state structures of different political systems, their ideological underpinnings and the implications for policy making and implementation. The key issue of power and its manifestations within different, and contemporary, political systems and the role of power blocs in policy formulation will be examined. Of importance in the contemporary world is the concept and practices of the welfare state and the challenges that it faces in response to domestic and international pressures including from interest groups With the dynamics of politics in Fiji the course will undertake to examine the different ?manifestos? that could be translated into policy by the Party that assumes control of the structures of the state and power.

Learning Target Outcomes:

Prerequisite: N/A

Prerequisite Sentence: B grade from SOP801 and SOP802

Credit Point: 30

Offered In: Semester 2