PO 484
Democrats Despots Demagogues
The course examines the following questions: under which conditions do democracies rise
and flourish? What are the reasons for democratic erosion in the early 21st century? Are
we witnessing the rise of new forms of political regimes that mix democratic with
non-democratic elements together (hybrid regimes, illiberal democracies, etc)? What can we
learn from the past waves of democratization and reversion to authoritarian types of
government? And, to what extent do climate change and digital technology challenge our
assumptions about democracy and representative government? Students will evaluate
those questions through the lenses of comparative politics covering a wide range of
cases, and will also engage with readings from political theory, historical sociology, and
international relations.
Prerequisites: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science.
Exclusions: PO497i.
The course examines the following questions: under which conditions do democracies rise
and flourish? What are the reasons for democratic erosion in the early 21st century? Are
we witnessing the rise of new forms of political regimes that mix democratic with
non-democratic elements together (hybrid regimes, illiberal democracies, etc)? What can we
learn from the past waves of democratization and reversion to authoritarian types of
government? And, to what extent do climate change and digital technology challenge our
assumptions about democracy and representative government? Students will evaluate
those questions through the lenses of comparative politics covering a wide range of
cases, and will also engage with readings from political theory, historical sociology, and
international relations.
Prerequisites: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science.
Exclusions: PO497i.
The course examines the following questions: under which conditions do democracies rise
and flourish? What are the reasons for democratic erosion in the early 21st century? Are
we witnessing the rise of new forms of political regimes that mix democratic with
non-democratic elements together (hybrid regimes, illiberal democracies, etc)? What can we
learn from the past waves of democratization and reversion to authoritarian types of
government? And, to what extent do climate change and digital technology challenge our
assumptions about democracy and representative government? Students will evaluate
those questions through the lenses of comparative politics covering a wide range of
cases, and will also engage with readings from political theory, historical sociology, and
international relations.
Prerequisites: Registration status: Year 4 Honours Political Science.
Exclusions: PO497i.
