INTS 305/POLISCI 305 : Democracy and Democratization

What is democracy? Who benefits from it? Is democracy better suited to some peoples than to others? What causes democracy – does it come from within a country or is it caused by international factors? (Why) is democracy desirable? This course addresses these and other questions in a comparative context, looking at established democracies, emerging democracies, and recalcitrant authoritarian regimes from around the world. Students are expected to leave the course with a critical, nuanced view of democracy, an appreciation of various electoral systems, and in-depth knowledge of both a democratic and nondemocratic country of their choice.