Are we all democrats now? As a first stab, we might be tempted to say yes: trends over the last thirty years or so suggest a global resurgence in democracy from central and eastern Europe, to Latin America and parts of east Asia, to some African countries and now the Arab Spring. The aim of this course is to introduce the comparative method in the study of government and politics in order to help students see that this can only ever be a superficial answer. The course will provide a series of concepts and topics to furnish students with the capability to offer many and varied qualifications to the claim that democracy is now universal. Understanding variation, both similarities and differences, in democratic systems of government across boundaries and over time is an essential part of the study of public policy and administration.

Our job in this course is to pick through the celebrations of democracy and democraticisation, in order to consider differences in the scope and range of authority of democratic government. We will do this by comparing cases, both old and new democracies, to appreciate the different textures of democracy around the world. In particular, we will use the theme of the relationship between democratic values and the value of human rights to organise our thinking about democratic limits and the quality of democratic performance.  This theme will run consistently through the different topics and concepts in the unit: the state and civil society; capitalism; citizenship; welfare states; gender; multiculturalism; and rational policy-making.

This course is only available to students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Public Administration and Graduate Certificate in Public Administration.

On successful completion of this course students will have:

1. demonstrated a critical understanding of the leading analytical frameworks in the study of comparative government and politics;

2. analysed the relative advantages and disadvantages of different types of democratic political systems;

3. developed the aptitude to make convincing recommendations of the most appropriate democratic institutions and structures for the achievement of policy goals;

4. demonstrated the capacity to research and critically analyse the different democratic systems of government;

5. demonstrated the ability to think independently, and persuasively communicate ideas in comparative government and politics;

6. practised professional skills to i) work effectively in a group; ii) present clearly and concisely; and iii) facilitate the learning of others.

Reflective paper (10%), Major essay (40%), Oral presentation and seminar paper (25%) Examination (25%)

Contact hours are 30 in total, divided between lectures and seminars) Students are expect to spend approximately 60 additional hours on readings and assignments to complete the course.

None. This is a foundational course.

Democracy: A Beginner’s Guide (David Beetham)

Reading brick 

Internet and email access required.

Delivery Mode:

On Campus.