University of Bergen Department of Comparative Politics

The department does research and teaches in the topics of political development, democracy and democratisation in a broad sense.

However, the empirical approach based on the method of comparison is more defining for the department's activities than the topics (see Wiki-article on comparative politics).

Initially, the subject was mainly concentrated on European affairs, but global political developments has caused a widening of interests and focus to themes associated with democracy and democratisation in Asia, Africa and Latin America as well.

The Department of Comparative Politics has existed as an individual unit since January 1, 1980.

Stein Rokkan, the man regarded as the founder of the department, was appointed as Professor in Comparative Politics at the University of Bergen as early as in 1966.