Democracy constitutes one of the most important sets of ideas in today's world, in the international system no less than in its component states. This course examines what democracy and democratization can and do mean in theory and practice. It begins by looking at democracy in theory, in particular the entrenched idea of liberal democracy, and the currently popular model of deliberative democracy. Attention will then be paid to the sites in which democracy can be practiced, notably states, civil society, and international institutions. The focus will then shift to democratization as a process, in terms of both extension of liberal democracy to an ever-increasing number of countries and deepening of the democratic qualities of any political system. Democratization will therefore be examined not just as the acquisition of a basic set of institutions and the rule of law, but also in terms of the dispositions and practices of those who operate nominally democratic systems. Threats to democracy from religious fundamentalisms, US hegemony, ethnic nationalism, and discourses of terror and counter-terror will also be examined.

Assessment would be based principally on evaluation of student performance in writing two short essays and a final examination.
Two short essays: each 30%
Final Examination: 40%