The seminar introduces policy-making in the parliamentary democracy of Germany and compares it with other European systems and the United States. In discussion with Armand Zorn, Member of the German Bundestag since 2021, the seminar shows how a young person, immigrated to Germany from Cameroon at the age of 10, got politically active in German politics and became a 'rising star' in the Bundestag. We will look closely at working a political party, the candidate nomination process, electoral campaigning, coalition building, parliamentary organization and the processes of legislation and oversight. The individual and practical experience of Armand Zorn is reflected based on a deep theoretical thinking and current empirical knowledge. Comparing the German case with other political systems in Europe leads to the broader understanding of challenges to representative democracy around the globe. At the beginning of this comparative politics class, we will co-create the focus, accomodating the interests of class participants. The class requires no previous knowledge of German politics and will be held in English. Students can choose to take exams in German.
