How and why has democracy spread across the world? Is democracy important for citizens? How can international actors help encourage the spread of democracy? What does the history of democracy say about Australian history? This course will teach students about various aspects of democracy in a comparative and international context. We will read about the major theories concerning the modes of democratic transition and breakdown, the country-level and international factors that predict democracy, and the impact democracy has on policies and economic outcomes.

Each week will bring attention to a country case or set of cases that illustrate the theories. Students will also pick a specific country case to research and write about.

Upon completing this course, students should be able to:

1. Discuss essential facts on the spread of democracy across time, region, and economic conditions
2. Assess the major theories on modes of democratic transition and breakdown, the prediction of democracy, and the effects of democratic government based on empirical evidence and examples
3. Discuss a particular country case example and how it fits with broader theories of democracy with specific empirical knowledge
4. Analyze potential approaches to democracy promotion in light of the history of democracy
5. Place Australian democracy in a comparative context and discuss how Australia fits in with the major theories of democracy

3 Short Essays (40%) (1000 words each, all concerning a particular country case) (Learning Outcomes 1-3)

Exam (50%) (3 essay question responses) (Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 4, 5)

Tutorial Participation (10%) (Learning Outcomes 1-5)

There will be one two-hour lecture and one tutorial per week.  Students should allow 6-7 hours per week for reading and preparing asignments

6 units of 1000-level POLS courses.

This is a later-year course.

None

N/A