Introduction
Comparative Democratization
JPM888
(Summer semester 2022)
Lecturer: Dr. Petra Guasti
E-Mail: petra.guasti@fsv.cuni.cz
Times & Room: Wednesdays 15:30-16:50 315
Zoom: https://cuni-cz.zoom.us/j/92411916444?pwd=c1g5Rk9kTCtKVXZjR1owNHNOSmpHUT09
Meeting ID: 924 1191 6444
Passcode: 197014
Credits: 6
Language: English
Description:
How do democracies emerge, and how do they die? This seminar focuses on the process of democratization from a historical and comparative perspective. The focus of the course is on issues rather than countries, although we will cover many countries and most regions of the world. After the definition of democracy and democratization, the key elements of the three historical "waves" of democratization are addressed. We will then turn to the concept of "democratic consolidation." Finally, the last three sessions of the seminar will turn to the future prospects and challenges for democracy and democratization in deconsolidation, how democracies die, and democratization of democracy.
Course requirements:
The communication platform for this seminar will be Moodle.
All readings will be shared via Moodle.
Required readings are be completed by every student for the given session of the seminar.
The recommended reading aims to encourage students to obtain a more profound understanding of the presented topics.
Students are also encouraged to use the library and other resources available at the university. You are welcome to ask for a recommendation in a specific direction during consultations.
1. Active course participation is the necessary requirement for successful completion of the course. There is a difference between presence and active participation. Active participation means active engagement (commenting, discussing with peers, asking meaningful questions).
2. Written assignment: Students are required to write a short paper on the topic of their choice selected from the course themes. (Times New Roman, font size 10-12, minimum 1500 words maximum 2000 words – inducing literature and footnotes – More is not necessarily better!). This paper is to be submitted per email and is a necessary condition for the oral exam.
3. Oral exam: Based on the topic of your paper, this exam will be conducted as a dialogue between lecturer and student revolving around the topic of the paper. In keeping with the general idea of the course, the questions will be aimed to test whether students became acquainted with the theoretical tools to understand and study democratization and the extent to which they can apply this knowledge. The date of the oral exam will be set during the course.
The idea behind this set of different assignments is that you familiarize yourself in some depth with a number of different questions and issues at the forefront of democratic theory and practice. This should train students to think along theoretical lines and allow them to see democratic innovations from a theoretically-informed perspective.
Consultations:
Tuesdays 16.00-17.30 or upon email request.