Bachelor
2025/2026
Democracy and Democratization
Type:
Compulsory course (International Programme 'International Relations and Global Studies')
Delivered by:
Faculty of World Economy and International Affairs
When:
4 year, 1, 2 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Instructors:
Iryna Zhyrun
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
4
Contact hours:
56
Course Syllabus
Abstract
In this course we will consider various aspects of the conditions of democracy, the processes of democratisation, and the breakdown of democratic regimes. This course will cover the following topics: Conceptualising democracy: General criteria for democracy, and particular forms of semi-democracy. Delegative democracy, illiberal democracy and biased states. Democratic consolidation. Process of democratisation: Paths to democracy. Comparative historical studies. Conditions of Democracy and its maintenance: The concept of democratic legitimacy and the functioning of liberal democracy in advanced capitalist societies. Transitions to Democracy: Forms of non-democracy and transitional paths towards democratisation. Democratic breakdown and reconstruction: Mass society theories and theories of class conflict. Modernisation theory and later criticisms. Democracy and war. Democratic reconstruction and its problems.
Learning Objectives
- Understand different theoretical approaches to democratic governance
- Categorize a variety of democratic and non-democratic regimes
- Describe the role of non-elective institutions in democratic rule
- Outline the arguments of historical sociologists of democratization
- Explain the process and forms of transition to democracy
- Assess theories of democratic breakdown
- Assess arguments for non-democratic regimes
- Discuss the role of economic development and democracy
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Understand different theoretical approaches to democratic governance
- Categorize a variety of democratic and non-democratic regimes
- Describe the role of non-elective institutions in democratic rule
- Outline the arguments of historical sociologists of democratization
- Explain the process and forms of transition to democracy
- Assess theories of democratic breakdown
- Assess arguments for non-democratic regimes
- Discuss the role of economic development and democracy
Course Contents
- Defining and conceptualizing democracy
- Democracy and the state
- Non-democratic systems and the transition to democracy
- General theories of democratisation
- Threats to democracy, democratic breakdown and the prevention of democratic breakdown
Assessment Elements
- Final oral exam
- Participation
- In-class written essay 2Written essay at the end of module 2
- In-class written essay 1Written essay at the end of module 1
Interim Assessment
- 2025/2026 2nd module0.35 * Final oral exam + 0.2 * In-class written essay 1 + 0.2 * In-class written essay 2 + 0.125 * Participation + 0.125 * Participation
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Models of democracy, Held, D., 1990
- Problems of democratic transition and consolidation : southern Europe, South America, post-Communist Europe, Linz, J. J., 1996
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- State-building : governance and world order in the 21st century, Fukuyama, F., 2004