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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 part 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 quality of political regimes. Historical case studies (West Germany & East Germany) illustrate what it takes to develop a democratic and non-democratic regime. A visit to “Haus der Geschichte” (Museum on German history after the Second World War) in Bonn shall bring German realities close to students. During 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 support to democracy allows students to discuss the legitimacy of international efforts to promote democracy.

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.