Prof. NIKOLAOS-KOMNINOS HLEPAS

Course description

This is an in-depth course on the institutions and politics of local and regional government with a particular emphasis on the comparative approach of these European institutions.

This course aims at familiarizing students with the problems of local self-government and especially with the reform dynamics that unfolded in recent decades in Europe, by discussing relevant Greek and international literature, as well as preparing relevant essays on current issues. The topics of the essays are chosen in a way that combines the in-depth study of specific aspects of local self-government with pertinent theoretical approaches and scientific discourse about political and administrative institutions, their relations with citizens and society, but also their role in modern democracy.

Learning outcomes

On the completion of this course, students are expected to:

• understand in greater depth the basic institutions and functions of local government in Greece, as well as the multiple issues that are often raised by their practices.
• use a comparative approach to the history, institutions, and policies of local self-government in  Europe.
• get a comprehensive picture of the reforms and changes that have taken place or are taking place in the field of local self-government in Greece and Europe.
• deal, in the context of individual work, with specific political, administrative, legal, and institutional issues related to the subject of this course, combining primary sources (legislation, jurisprudence, official reports, empirical research, etc.) and theoretical literature.