Major issues in theoretical discussions of democracy, such as the nature of democratic government, its purposes, its justification, its limitations, and the conditions necessary for its maintenance.
Athena Title
Problems in Democratic Theory
Prerequisite
POLS 1101 or POLS 1101E or POLS 1101H or POLS 1101S
Semester Course Offered
Not offered on a regular basis.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Student learning Outcomes
Students will learn about the historical and ethical foundations of democratic forms of government.
Students will critically compare the political, economic, and human rights focused outcomes of democratic and nondemocratic systems.
Students will learn classic and contemporary criticisms of democratic forms of government.
Students will understand the difference between a variety of representative electoral systems. (Parliamentary & Presidential, First-Past-The-Post & Proportional Representation).
Students will develop and write critical papers on democratic theory.
Students will learn the empirical correlates of democratic development, as well as theories why democracies have emerged in some areas of the world with greater frequency than others.
Students will learn some quantitative measurements of democracy, including political and economic freedom indexes.
Topical Outline
Representative Government
Legitimacy
Constitutionalism
Countermajoritarian Democratic Institutions
Rights Theory
Consent Theory
Pluralism
Toleration
Social Contract Theory
Federalism
The Logic of Collective Action
Game Theory
Social Choice Theory
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Adaptive Preferences
Institutional Competencies Learning Outcomes
Critical Thinking
The ability to pursue and comprehensively evaluate information before accepting or establishing a conclusion, decision, or action.
