pol2dem democracy in retreat

DEMOCRACY IN RETREAT? FAILED TRANSITIONS AND THE NEW AUTHORITARIANISM

POL2DEM

2017

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

For many commentators, the end of the Cold War heralded the impending triumph of democratic governance on a global scale. A quarter century later, optimism has given way to pessimism. This course seeks to explain why democratisation has often failed to produce durable democratic institutions.How have authoritarian regimes responded to the challenges posed by pro-democracy uprisings and Western democracy promotion? Does democratisation resolve or exacerbate ethnic conflict? How is the success of democratisation influenced by the nature of institutions like the military, the judiciary, political parties and the media? Is culture or religion an obstacle to democracy? Drawing on case studies from regions such as Latin America, Eastern Europe and Asia, this course answers these and other questions as it introduces students to key concepts and debates in scholarship on democratisation and the new authoritarianism.

SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorRobert Horvath

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

Prerequisites 15 credit points of any first year Politics subject and 15 credit points of any Humanities and Social Sciences subject, or subject coordinator's approval.

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjectsN/A

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Demonstrate an understanding and critical evaluation of contemporary global trends in democratisation

Activities:
Lectures, tutorial discussions, short essay, major essay and take-home exam
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

02. identify and explain the international and domestic factors, actors and institutions influencing processes of political change and continuity

Activities:
Lectures, tutorial discussions, short essay, major essay and take-home exam
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

03. Critically evaluate key scholarly debates about the successes and failures of democratisation and democracy promotion

Activities:
Tutorial discussions, major essay and take- home exam
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)

04. Apply debates about democratisation and new authoritarianism to real world political contexts

Activities:
Tutorial discussions, major essay and take-home
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

05. Construct an academic argument based on research employing primary and secondary research

Activities:
Major essay
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
Personal and Professional Skills(Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Study and Learning Skills)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

Subject options

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Start date between: and    Key dates

Melbourne, 2017, Semester 2, Day

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorBec Strating

Class requirements

LectureWeek: 31 - 43
One 2.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

TutorialWeek: 31 - 43
One 1.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 31 to week 43 and delivered via face-to-face.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Short Assignment (500 words)1501, 02
Take-home exam (1500 words)4001, 02, 03, 04
Research Essay (2000 words)4501, 02, 03, 05