Introductory description

Democracy is a crucial ideal – ‘rule by the people’ - and set of political practices, such as voting in free and fair elections. It is also a deeply contested ideal and practice. Proponents of very different policies or ideologies deploy the rhetoric of democracy in their favour, and to attack opponents – witness the debates about Brexit in the UK.

The ambiguities at the heart of democracy – what is it, how should it be practiced? – are viewed by some as a weakness: maybe it is an idea empty of real meaning? However, this very ambiguity may reflect something positive and offer opportunities. Perhaps democracy is flexible: it can be thought of and done differently in different places and contexts. Could democracy be a matter of design for different purposes and contexts; creative and experimental uses of a range of institutions enacting distinct ideals?

The module explores democratic design, moving beyond the notion that there are separate ‘models’ of democracy. Looking at a range of democratic principles (equality, freedom, etc.) and institutions (from the familiar such as parliaments to the new and innovative, such as citizens’ assemblies), it interrogates the notions of democracy and design. It considers new approaches to democratic change in the face of varied challenges to democratic organisation and effectiveness.

Democratic Design is an experimental module in which ideas will be debated and tested without preordained conclusions.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Week 1 - Introduction: The challenge of democratic design

Week 2 - A critique of 'models of democracy', with a focus on deliberative democracy

Week 3 – Further examples of participatory innovation: raw materials for democratic design?

Week 4 – Design thinking

Week 5 – Justification and minimum standards

Week 6 – Reading week

Week 7 – Principles, practices, procedures

Week 8 – Designing for context

Week 9 - Democratic design

Week 10 - Tailoring democratic designs: green democracy?

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• The ability to apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects
• To develop to a high level the transferable/key/generic skills necessary for employment related to Politics and International Studies: lateral thinking; problem solving; detailed critical analysis and interpretation of a variety of primary and secondary sources; the ability to digest, retain and apply complex information and ideas; an understanding of language; skills in research, independent study, group discussion, and in oral and written presentation; the ability to consider unfamiliar ideas and ways of thinking.
• To develop to a high level the skills necessary for the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility: e.g. the ability to assess their own capacity for and progress in learning; the ability to organize their work and manage their time successfully; the ability to meet deadlines; the ability to reflect critically on the extent and limitations of how and what they have learned, discovered and understood.

Indicative reading list

A. Bachtiger; J. S. Dryzek; J. Mansbridge and M. Warren (eds), The Oxford Handbook of Deliberative Democracy (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2018)

N. Cross, Design Thinking: understanding how designers think and work (London: Bloomsbury 2011)

G. Smith, Democratic Innovations (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 2009)

M. Saward, Democratic Design (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2020)

R.E. Goodin (ed), The Theory of Institutional Design (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1996)

I. Gonzalez-Ricoy and A. Gosseries (eds), Institutions for Future Generations (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2016)

Subject specific skills

PAIS is currently reviewing and developing skills statements befitting its Masters level offer. This section to be completed shortly subject to the outcomes of that process.

Transferable skills

PAIS is currently reviewing and developing skills statements befitting its Masters level offer. This section to be completed shortly subject to the outcomes of that process.