Description
New democracies have been emerging globally in the post-Cold War era. This comparative course examines some of the main theoretical issues related to the collapse of non-democratic systems of government and the erection of new political systems. After examining key concepts and theories in the study of democratisation, we shall proceed with the discussion of main democratisation issues, with each issue representing a theme for one seminar. The issues that the course explores include the impact of a type of non-democratic regime on democratisation; the relationship between economic development and democratisation; the role of civil society and political parties in democratisation; and institutional choices and democratisation. A central theme of the course will be the quality of these new democracies and the different types of democratic regimes that have actually emerged. The course particularly focuses on these processes in Latin America, where the most dramatic wave of democratization ever accomplished in the world has taken place in the last 30 years (Mainwaring and Perez Linan, 2005).
Learning objectives: The course is designed to provide knowledge of key concepts, theories and problems generated by the collapse of non-democratic regimes and the creation of new political systems. It will enable students to explore contemporary democratisation processes and understand different assumptions, agendas and standards of evidence used by various theories of political change. In this way the course is aimed to provide the students with tools which will make them possible to identify possible areas for their future research in the field of comparative politics.
Methods of instruction
The course is based on weekly lectures to introduce the literature. Students are expected to be active in class discussions. Short students’ presentations (15 minutes) could be required (depending on the size of the class).
Study material
- Reader: selection of articles (Most to be posted on Blackboard) (Approx. 1000 pp.)
Examination
Students will be assessed on the basis of two papers based on the assigned literature.
Time table
Monday October 27, till December 15, 15.00-17.00 p.m., in 6C03 (except December 1, 8 and December 15: Ch03) and
Wednesday October 29, till December 17, 15.00-17.00 p.m., in Ch11