What is democracy? How can it be measured? Is populism a threat to democracy? Is democracy likely to survive? The module addresses these questions by first exploring the nature of democracy as a form of government and then reviewing the way it has been conceptualised and measured across countries and over time. You will learn how and why some countries have become democratic while other have not and what factors can explain variation between countries. You will then assess to what extent democracy is under threat, the nature of threats such as populism, their roots, and how they could be countered. You will conclude by trying to predict its likely trajectory in the foreseeable future. In a nutshell, the module offers an analysis of the past, present, and future of democracy and its significance in contemporary politics.
Lecture 16, Workshop 16
Test. Assessment Details: Short Answer Questions - 5 Questions, 100 Words Each worth 30%.
Extended writing. Assessment Details: 2,500 Words Essay worth 70%.
Reassessment Method: Like for like
On successfully completing the module, students will be able to:
1) Analyse and critically understand the nature of democracy as a political regime.
2) Compare and apply competing theories that seek to account for the emergence, endurance, and breakdown of democracy to empirical cases.
3) Interpret the main methods used to study democracy in political science and critically evaluate their appropriateness.
4) Communicate concisely and effectively facts, arguments and analysis in different formats.
5) Question the limits of our knowledge of democracy and of how this affects analysis and interpretation.
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