GV245 One Unit
Democracy and Democratisation
This information is for the 2025/26 session.
Course Convenor
Prof Francesco Panizza
Availability
This course is available on the BA in Social Anthropology, BSc in History and Politics, BSc in International Relations, BSc in International Social and Public Policy with Politics, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics, BSc in Politics and Economics, BSc in Politics and International Relations, BSc in Politics and Philosophy, BSc in Social Anthropology, Erasmus Reciprocal Programme of Study and Exchange Programme for Students from University of California, Berkeley. This course is freely available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. It does not require permission. This course is freely available to General Course students. It does not require permission.
This course is not controlled access. If you request a place and meet the criteria, you are likely to be given a place.
This course is capped. Places will be assigned on a first come first served basis.
Requisites
Pre-requisites:
Students must have completed GV101 before taking this course.
Course content
The course is concerned with theories of democratisation and case studies of democratic transformations during the so-called “third wave” of democratisation from the 1970s to the present. It analyses processes of transition and consolidation of democracy and of democratic reversal in the context of globalisation. The first five weeks study the concept of democracy, theories of transition to democracy, democratic consolidation and hybrid regimes and the crisis of liberal democracy. The remainder of the course uses the conceptual tools of the first five weeks to study the condition of democracy in different regions of the world, including Southern Europe, Africa, South East Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
Teaching
15 hours of lectures and 9 hours of classes in the Autumn Term.
15 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the Winter Term.
1.5 hours of lectures and 1 hours of classes in the Spring Term.
This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.
Formative assessment
Essay
Essay
Students will be expected to produce 2 essays in the AT and WT.
Indicative reading
The most useful introductory readings are: J. Grugel and M. L. Bishop (2016) Democratization: A Critical Introduction; and S. Noakes and C. Wilson (2023) Democratization. A Thematic Approach.
Other useful texts are: L. Whitehead (2002) Democratization. S. Levitsky and D. Ziblatt (2018) How Democracies Die; Donatella Della Porta (2013) Can Democracy be Saved?
Assessment
Exam (60%), duration: 180 Minutes in the Spring exam period
Essay (40%, 2500 words) in April
GENERAL COURSE STUDENTS ONLY:
The Class Summary Grade for General Course students will be calculated as follows: 80% formative coursework and 20% class participation (including attendance and contribution).
Key facts
Department: Government
Course Study Period: Autumn, Winter and Spring Term
Unit value: One unit
FHEQ Level: Level 5
CEFR Level: Null
Keywords: Democracy, Democratization, Democratic transition and consolidation, Democratic reversals
Total students 2024/25: 82
Average class size 2024/25: 16
Capped 2024/25: Yes(85)Course selection videos
Some departments have produced short videos to introduce their courses. Please refer to the course selection videos index page for further information.
Personal development skills
- Self-management
- Problem solving
- Communication