PO9D5-20 The Value of Democracy; What is Democracy For?
Introductory description
PO9D5-20
Module aims
To introduce students to key debates in the study of democracy and its values
To explore different concepts of democracy, and to discuss the debates
To distinguish between different types of values
To critically examine and illuminate the consequences of democracy on specific outcomes (the instrumental value)
To critically examine the intrinsic value of democracy
To critically examine the constructive value of democracy
To empirically investigate the strengths and weaknesses of democracy, democratic models and different types of democracy
To show why these factors must be taken into account when assessing the prospects for democracy
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 - The Value of Democracy in Comparative Perspective
Week 2 - Corruption
Week 3 Interstate war
Week 4 - Civil War
Week 5 - Climate Change
Week 6 - (Reading Week)
Week 7- Democracy for its own sake
Week 8 - The role of education in Democracies
Week 9 - The Resilience of Authoritarianism
Week 10 - Policy Recommendations
Learning outcomes
By the end of the module, students should be able to:
- Knowledge how to appraise the value of democracy in comparative perspective, mainly by comparing different countries.
- Demonstrate advanced empirical knowledge of at least one country, but preferably two countries, and relate/ apply this knowledge to one of the theoretical questions in this field
- Recognize the different assumptions/biases underpinning the debates around the value of democracy
- Develop practical skills in the retrieval and presentation of information, demonstrated in class presentations and essay
- Develop skills in oral communication, demonstrated in class discussions and presentations. Developed skills in written communication, demonstrated in assessed essays
- Develop participatory skills, exhibited in class work
- Enhanced powers of critical analysis, tested by the normal assessment methods.
Indicative reading list
- Bastian, S. and R. Luckham (2003), Can Democracy be Designed? The Politics of Institutional Choice in Post-Conflict Societies, Zed Books (read of the chapters, focusing on one country, so e.g. South Africa, Sri Lanka, Uganda, Fiji or Bosnia)
- Dewey, J. (1916). Democracy and Education: An Introduction to the Philosophy of Education. New York: Macmillan (part of the book).
- Doorenspleet, R. (2017) Rethinking the Value of Democracy in Comparative Perspective, London: Palgrave Macmillan.
- Hegre, H. (2014), 'Democracy and armed conflict', Journal of Peace Research vol. 51 no. 2, pp. 159-172
- Payne, R. (1995), ‘Are Democracies “Greener”?’ Journal of Democracy, Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 341-55.
- A. Sen, A. (1999) 'Democracy as a Universal Value', Journal of Democracy, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 3-17.
Subject specific skills
tbc
Transferable skills
tbc
Study time
| Type | Required |
|---|---|
| Seminars | 9 sessions of 2 hours (9%) |
| Private study | 182 hours (91%) |
| Total | 200 hours |
Private study description
tbc
Costs
No further costs have been identified for this module.
You must pass all assessment components to pass the module.
Assessment group A1
| Weighting | Study time | Eligible for self-certification | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5000 word essay | 100% | Yes (extension) |
Feedback on assessment
Feedback on the assessed essay will be provided to all students using the standard PAIS PG essay feedback form, providing commentary on comprehension, analysis, critique and presentation as well as overall comments and suggestions for improvement
Courses
This module is Optional for:
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PX Double MA in Global Governance (with University of Waterloo, Canada)
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PT MA in International Development
- Year 1 of TPOS-M1PA MA in International Politics and Europe
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9Q1 Postgraduate Politics, Big Data and Quantitative Methods
- Year 1 of TPOS-M1P3 Postgraduate Taught International Political Economy
- Year 1 of TPOS-M1P8 Postgraduate Taught International Politics and East Asia
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9P9 Postgraduate Taught International Relations
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PC Postgraduate Taught International Security
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PS Postgraduate Taught Political and Legal Theory
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PF Postgraduate Taught Public Policy
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PQ Postgraduate Taught United States Foreign Policy
This module is Option list B for:
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PW Double MA in Politics and International Service (with American University, Washington DC)
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PE Double MA in Politics and International Studies (with NTU Singapore)
-
TPOS-M9PP Double MA in Politics and International Studies (with Universität Konstanz, Germany)
- Year 1 of M92B International Political Economy (Double Degree - Konstanz)
- Year 1 of M92H Public Policy (Double Degree - Konstanz)
- Year 1 of TIMA-L981 Postgraduate Social Science Research
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9P9 Postgraduate Taught International Relations
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PC Postgraduate Taught International Security
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PS Postgraduate Taught Political and Legal Theory
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PF Postgraduate Taught Public Policy
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9PQ Postgraduate Taught United States Foreign Policy
This module is Option list C for:
- Year 1 of TPOS-M9Q1 Postgraduate Politics, Big Data and Quantitative Methods