DEMOCRACY IN RETREAT? FAILED TRANSITIONS AND THE NEW AUTHORITARIANISM

POL3DEM

Not currently offered

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 subject 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 subject answers these and other questions as it introduces students to key concepts and debates in scholarship on democratisation and the new authoritarianism.

School: Humanities and Social Sciences (Pre 2022)

Credit points: 15

Subject Co-ordinator: Robert Horvath

Available to Study Abroad/Exchange Students: Yes

Subject year level: Year Level 3 - UG

Available as Elective: No

Learning Activities: N/A

Capstone subject: No

Subject particulars

Subject rules

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

Co-requisites: N/A

Incompatible subjects: POL2DEM

Equivalent subjects: N/A

Quota Management Strategy: N/A

Quota-conditions or rules: N/A

Special conditions: N/A

Minimum credit point requirement: N/A

Assumed knowledge: N/A

Career Ready

Career-focused: No

Work-based learning: No

Self sourced or Uni sourced: N/A

Entire subject or partial subject: N/A

Total hours/days required: N/A

Location of WBL activity (region): N/A

WBL addtional requirements: N/A

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

COMMUNICATION - Communicating and Influencing
COMMUNICATION - Cultural Intelligence and Global Perspective
DISCIPLINE KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Creativity and Innovation
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
INQUIRY AND ANALYSIS - Research and Evidence-Based Inquiry
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Adaptability and Self-Management
PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL - Ethical and Social Responsibility

Intended Learning Outcomes

01. Demonstrate an understanding and critical evaluation of contemporary global trends in democratisation
02. identify and explain the international and domestic factors, actors and institutions influencing processes of political change and continuity
03. Critically evaluate key scholarly debates about the successes and failures of democratisation and democracy promotion
04. Apply debates about democratisation and new authoritarianism to real world political contexts
05. Construct an academic argument based on research employing primary and secondary research
Subject not currently offered - Subject options not available.