Why do modern democracies differ in their institutional organization even though they often face similar problems? Under what conditions are political institutions such as parliaments and governments reformed and how do such reforms affect political processes and outcomes? How do political parties emerge and how does their role change in times of increasing societal individualization and decreasing partisan bonds in the electorate? Are constitutional courts political actors and to what extent do they influence policy-making? And – last but not least – how can we find valid scientific answers to such questions?

Research and teaching at the Chair for Empirical Political Science seeks empirical and analytical answers to such questions. Our research currently focuses on comparative institutions, legislative studies, party research, and judicial politics. On this website you find detailed information on current and past research projects and resulting publications. Our teaching comprises courses in comparative politics, research design, and applied methods.