Not available in 2017/18
GV442      Half Unit
Globalisation and Democracy

This information is for the 2017/18 session.

Teacher responsible

Dr Sarah Goff CON 4.11

Availability

This course is available on the MPA in European Public and Economic Policy, MPA in International Development, MPA in Public Policy and Management, MPA in Public and Economic Policy, MPA in Public and Social Policy, MSc in Comparative Politics, MSc in Empires, Colonialism and Globalisation, MSc in Global Politics, MSc in Human Rights, MSc in International Migration and Public Policy and MSc in Political Theory. This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit.

This course is capped at 2 groups - access to the course guaranteed for MSc Global Politics and MSc Global Politics Civil Society. The deadline for receipt of applications is Friday, 2 October 2015. In your application on LSE4U, please state your MSc programme and (briefly) your reason for taking the course. 

Course content

The contemporary debate about globalisation raises profound questions about the changing nature and form of politics today. This course examines two dimensions of the debate: the impact of various forms of globalisation on democratic and democratising states, and the prospects for the democratisation of global politics.

The course covers the following topics: 1) how democracy can be understood as a concept, and what makes democracy valuable; 2) how democracy within states, both in affluent and developing countries, is affected by various dimensions of globalisation, notably international trade and financial flows, migration, and international institutions; and 3) whether and how global politics can be made more democratic, including an examination of the roles played by international organisations, transnational civil society, and novel governance initiatives.

Teaching

20 hours of seminars in the MT.

There will be a reading week in week 6 of the MT for private study and assessment preparation.

Formative coursework

Students will produce one 2,000 word essay.

Indicative reading

R. A. Dahl, "A Democratic Dilemma: System Effectiveness Versus Citizen Participation," Political Science Quarterly, 1994; R. J. Arneson, “Democracy Is Not Intrinsically Just” in Justice and Democracy, Cambridge University Press, 2004; D. Brady et al., “The Consequences of Economic Globalization for Affluent Democracies,” Annual Review of Sociology, 2007; N. Rudra, “Globalization and the Strengthening of Democracy in the Developing World,” American Journal of Political Science, 2005; R. Keohane et al., "Democracy-Enhancing Multilateralism," International Organization, 2009; Ruth Grant and Robert Keohane, “Accountability and Abuses of Power in World Politics,” American Political Science Review, 2005; K. Macdonald and T. Macdonald, “Democracy in a Pluralist Global Order: Corporate Power and Stakeholder Representation,” Ethics & International Affairs, 2010; M. Koenig-Archibugi, “Is Global Democracy Possible?” European Journal of International Relations, 2010.

Assessment

Essay (100%, 5000 words).

Student performance results

(2013/14 - 2015/16 combined)

Classification % of students
Distinction 18.6
Merit 65.7
Pass 14.3
Fail 1.4

Key facts

Department: Government

Total students 2016/17: Unavailable

Average class size 2016/17: Unavailable

Controlled access 2016/17: No

Value: Half Unit

Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

Personal development skills

  • Self-management
  • Problem solving
  • Communication