One of the distinctive features of the Department of Politics and Public Administration (PPA) is its comprehensive coverage of the main interrelated fields of Political Science and Public Administration. The Department is highly attuned to the need to combine these areas of inquiry to provide comprehensive and global perspectives.
The field of Comparative Politics involves comparisons of political systems around the world. This area of study examines how governance structures and processes vary across regions and states, providing insights into the diversity of political practices worldwide.
International Relations focuses on the interactions between states and the role of international organisations in shaping global politics. This area examines the complexities of diplomacy, conflict, cooperation, and the evolving nature of the international system.
Political Theory examines both normative and empirical questions: in other words, ideas about how we would like the world to be, as well as how it is. It explores fundamental issues such as the nature of justice, democracy, the good life, and good governance.
The Department is also home to extensive expertise on Public Administration, a field dedicated to the practical management and operation of the public sector. This area is closely interconnected with the other three subfields, as it applies theoretical and comparative insights to the challenges of governance and policy implementation in multilevel and international systems of governance.
