Introductory description

Justice, Democracy and Citizenship is designed to get you thinking – about ideas in politics and how they matter, and what happens when we put political theory to work on pressing real-world issues and dilemmas. We will explore the the three core concepts in the title of the module through the lens of specific, real-world debates, such as the possibility of 'global justice', the question of reparations for historical injustice, competing ideas of representative and direct democracy, and whether being a citizen means that we have an obligation to obey the law. We welcome all students, not only those considering a focus on political theory in later years of their programmes of study.

Programme content

This module interrogates political theory in the world, focusing sharply on crucial concepts and case studies that help to bring them alive. It will be divided into three parts – on justice, democracy, and citizenship respectively – each consisting of three weeks of lectures and seminars. The module has been created as a lively way to explore key ideas in political theory: what the main arguments around them are, and how they might apply to and illuminate practical and policy dilemmas. After taking this course you will greet invocations of justice, democracy and citizenship with a new curiosity and a sharpened critical eye.

Module web page

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.

This module will be divided into three parts, corresponding to the three ideals mentioned in the title:

The first part, focusing on the ideal of justice, will address issues such as the following: What principles of justice, if any, can be used to assess relations between states and relations between members of different states? Are the vast inequalities of wealth and income that exist across the globe unjust, or do we merely have obligations of charity to assist those in other countries who cannot meet their basic needs? Does a state have a duty to admit refugees when others refuse, even if it has taken its fair share of them already? Does the idea of a just war still make sense and, if so, what are the criteria for determining whether or not a war is just? Does justice require reparations to be made for historical injustices?

The second part, focusing on the ideal of democracy, will address issues such as the following: What is democracy and why should we value it, given that it may, and sometimes does, deliver unjust outcomes? Do representative institutions require radical overhaul, in order to provide greater space for genuine deliberation? Should they be supplemented by various "democratic innovations", such as citizens' assemblies and referendums?

The third part, focusing on the ideal of citizenship, will address issues such as the following: What is it to be a citizen of a state and who should be regarded as a citizen? Do states have a right to exclude would-be immigrants and to determine who is permitted to live within their borders? Is there a case for lowering the age at which children can vote? Should prisoners be allowed to vote?

Learning outcomes

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

• The ability to demonstrate an appreciation of key debates around the concepts of justice, democracy and citizenship
• The ability to discuss intelligently the application and understanding of these concepts in specific political cases
• The capacity to analyse critically, both orally and in writing, political arguments with respect to the relevant issues and dilemmas

Indicative reading list

A. Swift, Political Philosophy: a beginner's guide for students and politicians (Cambridge: Polity Press 2013)
D. Beetham, Democracy and Human Rights (Cambridge: Polity Press 1999)
R.A. Dahl, On Democracy (New Haven: Yale University Press 1998)
D. Held, Models of Democracy, third edition (Cambridge: Polity Press 2006)
M. Saward, Democratic Design (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2020)
R. Bellamy, Citizenship: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press 2008)
R. Beiner (ed.), Theorizing Citizenship (Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 1995)
C. Armstrong, Global Distributive Justice (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012)
M. Risse, Global Political Philosophy (Basingstoke: Palgrave, 2012)

View reading list on Talis Aspire

International

The module covers topics which are international in their scope and implications, such as the nature of democracy, global justice, and citizenship and migration.

Subject specific skills

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

• demonstrate an appreciation of key debates around the concepts of justice, democracy and citizenship
• discuss intelligently the application and understanding of these concepts in specific political cases
• analyse critically, both orally and in writing, political arguments with respect to the relevant issues and dilemmas
• achieve a sense of more detailed options awaiting you in years 2 and 3

Transferable skills

The module provides students with opportunities to acquire or develop the following key skills:

• Written communication skills
• Oral communication skills
• Problem-solving skills
• Skills in the use of information technology
• Skills of interpretation and the critical analysis of primary and secondary sources
• Awareness and sensitivity to diversity (in terms of people, cultures) and the ability to understand unfamiliar ideas and ways of thinking
• The ability to digest, retain and apply complex information and ideas
• Ability to conduct research and reference their work appropriately
• Time management skills and 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