Dr Sarah Brierley, Dr Ryan Jablonski & Dr George Ofosu

In much of the world, dissatisfaction with democracy is at a higher rate than at any time since the Cold War. At the same time, voters are increasingly supportive of authoritarian rule and populist parties and politicians.

This course examines the causes and consequences of this democratic malaise, encouraging you to consider policies and actions to address these ill winds against modern democratic regimes.

The course begins with an introduction to normative and theoretical justifications for democratic governance and by providing a historical and comparative analysis of the state of democracy. From there, it considers threats to the democratic consolidation and causes of democratic backsliding. Topics include multiculturism, immigration, ethnic chauvinism, electoral violence and fraud, corruption, and elite capture. The last part of the course considers ways to protect, improve and consolidate democracy.

The course is global in its coverage, considering cases from the Global North and Global South.

Core questions include:

• Is democracy the best form of government?
• How should we understand gaps in democratic responsiveness?
• What explains the electoral success of corrupt or inept politicians?
• When and why are voters attracted to more authoritarian or populist ideologies?
• What kinds of policies can help improve the quality of elections and electoral accountability?

By the end of the course, students will be equipped to critically assess the state of democracy worldwide and contribute to debates on its future.