Descirption
In 1992 Francis Fukuyama argued that the end of the Cold War signalled "not just ... the passing of a particular period of post-war history, but the end of history as such: That is, the end-point of mankind's ideological evolution and the universalization of Western liberal democracy as the final form of human government". However, today liberal democracy faces challenges across the globe, with many countries experiencing a weakening of the rule of law, infringements on individual rights and freedoms, and erosion of checks and balances, usually due to the rise of illiberal, anti-pluralist political forces. In this course, we explore what contemporary illiberalism looks like, focusing on illiberal ideologies (e.g. far left, far right, religious) and the regimes illiberal actors put in place. We study the different variants of illiberalism that have emerged across the globe, and the reasons they have become popular amongst voters. Moreover, we examine how illiberal parties behave in opposition and government, and how their acts and discourse impact on the functioning of liberal democracies. Since illiberalism is a global and transnational phenomenon, we will also investigate the international cooperation between illiberal forces, and their impact on inter- and supranational organisations and on geopolitical dynamics.
The seminar will build on insights from political theory, and empirical studies from the fields of comparative politics, EU politics, and international relations. It will also include elements from adjacent disciplines, such as communication science , history, law, and psychology. The empirical studies discussed will be pluriform, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods research from different research traditions.
Learning objectives
After having completed this course, you will be able to
1. Analyze the differences between illiberalism as an ideology and illiberalism as a regime type
2. Analyze the different ideological manifestations of illiberalism
3. Evaluate different explanations for the electoral success of illiberal parties
4. Evaluate the extent to which liberal democracies and the international iberal order are affected by the rise of illiberal parties
5. Assess ways in which liberal democracies can defend itself against illiberal challenges
Mode of instruction
Seminars
Assessment method
Written assignments (60% of final grade)
Presentation (20% of final grade)
Participation (20% of final grade)
Registration
See 'Practical Information'
Timetable
See 'MyTimetable