pol3dem democracy in retreat
DEMOCRACY IN RETREAT? FAILED TRANSITIONS AND THE NEW AUTHORITARIANISM
POL3DEM
2019
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.
SchoolSchool of Humanities & Social Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorRobert Horvath
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
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-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjects POL2DEM
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditions Third year core subject in the Politics major within the Bachelor of Arts
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:
- 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)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Cultural Literacy)
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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Melbourne, 2019, 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 element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written tutorial comments (500 words) | One short critical response or comment on the lecture and two comments related to the reading. This is to be submitted in at least 6 out 12 tutorials and serve as the basis for the student's contribution to class discussion. The written versions will be serve as the basis for evaluation. | 15 | 01, 02 |
| Exam Essay (1500 words) | 40 | 01, 02, 03, 04 | |
| Research Essay (2000 words) | 45 | 01, 02, 03, 05 |