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Class Description

Democracy, governance and regime change are not only crucial phenomena in any political system but also core concepts of political science. In the first part of the seminar, main concepts and types of democratic and non-democratic regimes as well as governance are introduced. This day ends with a debate on the universality of democracy. In the second part, students learn how to apply these concepts, assess political regimes in developing countries and interpret current indices that aim at measuring the status quo and change of political regimes. In the third part of the seminar, students focus on political change and transformation. They learn to assess and analyze endogenous and exogenous factors for democratization and the persistence of democratic regimes. In particular, the relationship between religion and democracy is analysed. Democracy promotion is at the core of the fourth part. The knowledge of strategies and instruments as well as the effectiveness of international democracy promotion allows students to discuss the legitimacy of international efforts to promote democracy. The seminar concludes with the introduction of empirical findings on the performance of democratic regimes.

Learning objectives: Students get to know core concepts of democracy, governance and regime change and learn how to apply them in empirical research. With regard to soft skill students are invited to improve their skills in sound argumentation, presentation and scientific writing.

Requirements

-         Presence at class

-         Presentation

-         Two short term papers and / or long term paper