Why do some governments stay stable through crises while others collapse at the first shock? The answer usually lies not in personalities but in institutions -- the executive, legislative and judicial bodies that structure how power is exercised, checked and transferred. Reading a constitution is not enough to understand this; it takes a working knowledge of how these institutions actually interact day to day.

This course gives participants that working knowledge, moving from the building blocks of a political system through the branches of government, the courts and the independent bodies that keep the whole structure accountable, drawing on comparisons across different political models along the way.

Who Should Attend?

• Academics and researchers in political science and constitutional law.
• Government employees working in ministries and sovereign institutions.
• Legal and administrative advisors in public and private institutions.
• Members of political parties and civil society organisations who want to build institutional awareness.

Knowledge and Benefits

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish between different models of political systems through the way their institutions are built.
• Explain how political system institutions form, both in theory and in practice.
• Understand the relationship between the three branches of government and how they stay in balance.
• Analyse the real role political institutions play in shaping public decisions.
• Build a critical view of the challenges facing institutional effectiveness in today's political contexts.

Module 1: The Political System as a Framework for Power

• Defining the political system and its core functions
• How it differs from the constitutional system
• Its relationship to the wider components of the state

Module 2: How State Structure Shapes Institutions

• Unitary versus federal states
• Centralised versus decentralised systems
• Impact of a state's political form on the distribution of power

Module 3: The Executive Branch: Presidency, Government and Ministries

• Constitutional powers of the head of state and the role of the head of government
• Composition of the ministerial apparatus and distribution of responsibilities
• Coordination between central and local executive bodies

Module 4: The Legislative Branch and Its Checks on Government

• Composition of parliament (unicameral or bicameral) and its law-making role
• Internal organisation and specialised committees
• Oversight tools: questioning, votes of no confidence and interaction with the executive

Module 5: The Judiciary: Structure, Independence and Oversight

• Supreme and specialised courts, and how judges are appointed
• Standards of judicial independence
• Reviewing the constitutionality of laws and resolving political disputes

Module 6: Advisory and Independent Bodies

• Role of advisory councils in supporting decision-making
• Independent bodies such as election commissions and human rights institutions
• Their independence and relationship with official authorities

Module 7: Keeping the System Accountable

• Audit offices and inspection institutions
• Combating corruption and promoting transparency
• Oversight reports and follow-up mechanisms