The paper discusses the two main contributions to the debate about presidentialisation, namely the studies by Samuels/Shugart and Poguntke/Webb. It consists of two sections that summarize the main points of the two studies, highlighting strengths and weaknesses. Samuels and Shughart, so the argument goes, should consider moving away from the narrow focus on the separation of constitutional powers. Poguntke and Webb, on the other hand, are said to have the opposite problem in that they include too many explanatory factors. The author adds that considering the parties’ genetic features for example could be a valid argument to better measure this supposed widespread political phenomenon.
 
Gianluca Passarelli, Ph.D. in Comparative and European Politics from the University of Siena. Post doc fellow at the Department of Political Science, University of Bologna. He is also researcher of the Istituto Carlo Cattaneo and member of Itanes. His main research interests concern: presidents of the Republic, political parties, electoral systems, elections and electoral behavior.

Lunch will be provided.
For more information: lavst12@pitt.edu