Preconditions
Familiarity with the literature on democracy and democratization is recommended but not required.
Official Course Description
Democracy is under pressure across the globe. Many democracies, old and new, are witnessing the rise of polarization along ethnic or ideological lines. Some of the greatest minds such as Plato, Aristotle and John Stuart Mill have long ago argued that democracy is difficult to establish and retain in divided societies. In this course, we will cover whether and how different types of democratic institutions can resolve societal divisions. While majoritarian institutions aim to accommodate those divisions, power sharing institutions try to institutionalize them. We will also address when and how elite-led cross-ideological or cross-ethnic cooperation takes place.
Familiarity with the literature on democracy and democratization is recommended but not required.
Official Course Description
Democracy is under pressure across the globe. Many democracies, old and new, are witnessing the rise of polarization along ethnic or ideological lines. Some of the greatest minds such as Plato, Aristotle and John Stuart Mill have long ago argued that democracy is difficult to establish and retain in divided societies. In this course, we will cover whether and how different types of democratic institutions can resolve societal divisions. While majoritarian institutions aim to accommodate those divisions, power sharing institutions try to institutionalize them. We will also address when and how elite-led cross-ideological or cross-ethnic cooperation takes place.
- Lehrende: FaragMahmoud
Semester: ST 2024