ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳

In much of the world, dissatisfaction with democracy is at a higher rate than at any time since the Cold War. At the same time, voters are increasingly supportive of authoritarian rule and populist parties and politicians.

This course examines the causes and consequences of this democratic malaise, encouraging you to consider policies and actions to address these ill winds against modern democratic regimes.

The course begins with an introduction to normative and theoretical justifications for democratic governance and by providing a historical and comparative analysis of the state of democracy. From there, it considers threats to the democratic consolidation and causes of democratic backsliding. Topics include multiculturism, immigration, ethnic chauvinism, electoral violence and fraud, corruption, and elite capture. The last part of the course considers ways to protect, improve and consolidate democracy.

The course is global in its coverage, considering cases from the Global North and Global South.

Core questions include:

• Is democracy the best form of government?
• How should we understand gaps in democratic responsiveness?
• What explains the electoral success of corrupt or inept politicians?
• When and why are voters attracted to more authoritarian or populist ideologies?
• What kinds of policies can help improve the quality of elections and electoral accountability?

By the end of the course, students will be equipped to critically assess the state of democracy worldwide and contribute to debates on its future.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course. 

Level: 100 level. Read more information on levels in our FAQs

Fees: Please see Fees and payments

Lectures: 36 hours

Classes: 18 hours

Assessment: One essay (40%) and a final examination (60%)

Typical credit: 3-4 credits (US) 7.5 ECTS points (EU)

Please note: Assessment is optional but may be required for credit by your home institution. Your home institution will be able to advise how you can meet their credit requirements. For more information on exams and credit, read Teaching and assessment

If you are concerned or interested in the state of democracy or want to learn more about how contemporary democracies function (and not), this is the course for you.

The course is designed especially for those pursuing careers related to the civic engagement, civil service, foreign policy, political consulting or international development.

It will also be a useful starting point for those looking at master’s programs in political science, public policy, international relations and international development, for instance, the ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ MSc in Political Science, MSc in International Development or Master of Public Policy.

Students will come away from the course with the ability to:

• Describe theories of democratic representation, democratic backsliding and consolidation
• Debate solutions to democratic ills such as corruption, election fraud and declining democratic legitimacy.
• Compare, contrast and draw connections for the comparative analysis of democratic quality in different regions of the world
• Prepare and present high quality oral presentations that critically master the arguments and present them in a clear and balanced way
• Work independently to plan and produce original work that draws on multiple sources

The design of this course is guided by ÐÓ°ÉÂÛ̳ faculty, as well as industry experts, who will share their experience and in-depth knowledge with you throughout the course.