Challenges to Democracy (Winter term 24/25)

Fancy Table

Content


The seminar seeks to analyse the current challenges democratic regimes face. It is structured along three blocks. In the first block, we will learn about the essential features of a democracy and discover what shapes the quality of democracy. In a second block, we will engage with different empirical analyses of the current state of democratization and democratic systems. We will zero in on how institutions are sidelined; how actors, such as far-right parties, challenge democracies; and how democracy is threatened by crises. In the third block, we will look at potential solutions and scenarios of how democracy could cope with the current challenges.

You can download the most recent version of the syllabus here.
The seminar takes place weekly, on Wednesday (12:15-13:45) in seminar room SCH 100.107.

Material


Week 1: Introduction

In this session, we will get to know each other and discuss some logistics about the seminar. Moreover, a brief introduction into the topic is given.

Slides

Week 2: Concepts

The second week is all about concepts on democracy. We will discuss different levels of abstraction in defining democracy and talk about the tension between some democratic principles.

Slides

Week 3: Democracy - A Winning Formula?

We will discuss Fukuyama's influential work on "The End of History" and compare it with recent developments around the globe. What's the state of democracy nowadays? Moreover, the session will introduce students to different sources measuring the quality of democracy, which they can apply for their own projects.
Slides

Week 4: Field phase

There is no session in this week. Instead, you will work on the podcast project.

Week 5: Challenges and Facilitators of Democratization (Part 1)

In this week, we will discuss potential causes of democratization. Moreover, we will engage with empirical articles that focus on facilitators and challenges of democratization.
Slides

Week 6: Challenges and Facilitators of Democratization (Part 2)

This is a continuation of last week. First, you present your podcast project before we discuss how state repression triggers backlash among citizens.
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Week 7: Stretching the Rules of the Game

We will discuss how democracies erode gradually by taking a closer look at the book "How Democracies Die" by Stephen Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt (2017)
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Week 8: Democratic Norms and Affective Polarization

In this week, we will look on how (if) affective polarization undermines democratic norms.
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Week 9: Global Crises

Crises resulting from a pandemic, economic recessions or climate change require appropriate governance. In this session, we will discuss the tension between the climate crisis and the future of democracy.
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Week 10: Strengthening Institutions

Institutions are key when analysing democratic backsliding. But could these be strengthened to safeguard democracy from erosion?
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Week 11: Strengthening Political Participation

Political scientists have observed an erosion of political participation of citizens in conventional forms. Could democratic innovations be an option for future democracies?
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