GV4E1      Half Unit
Comparative Democratization in a Global Age

This information is for the 2025/26 session.

Course Convenor

Dr Bill Kissane

Availability

This course is available on the MSc in Political Science (Conflict Studies and Comparative Politics) and MSc in Political Science (Global Politics). This course is available with permission as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit. This course uses controlled access as part of the course selection process.

How to apply: to apply for a place on this course, please write a short statement of 200 words (max) outlining the specific reasons for applying and how the course will benefit your academic/career goals. Priority will be given to students on the programmes listed in the ‘availability’ section of the course guide. You should check that you meet any pre-requisites in the course guide before applying (where applicable). Places on capped courses cannot be guaranteed.  

Deadline for application: The deadline for applications is 12:00 noon on Friday 26 September 2025. You can expect to be informed of the outcome of your application by 12:00 noon on Monday 29 September 2025. Any places remaining after this date will be allocated based on priority and written statement - up until course selection closes.

For queries contact: gov.msc@lse.ac.uk  

Course content

To introduce students to the fundamental political science debates about the phenomenon of democratization, to explore the explanatory strength of key paradigms, and to compare distinct modes of democratization. Specific topics are: Definitions of democratization and democratic consolidation; waves of democratization; capitalist development and democratization; elite transitions; transitional justice; hybrid regimes; democratic backsliding; the current crisis of democracy and the existence of civil strife in established democracies; twentieth first century Fascism. Cases range from year to year but currently include China, Hungary, the United States, Spain, Turkey and Colombia.

Teaching

15 hours of lectures and 15 hours of seminars in the Autumn Term.

This course has a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn Term.

Formative assessment

Essay (1500 words)

All students are expected to submit one non-assessed essay of 1,500 words.

 

Indicative reading

D Potter et al, Democratization; J. Grugel, Democratization; Rueschmeyer, Stephens and Stephens, Capitalist Development and Democracy; J Linz and A S Stepan, Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation.

Assessment

Essay (100%, 3000 words) in Winter Term Week 1


Key facts

Department: Government

Course Study Period: Autumn Term

Unit value: Half unit

FHEQ Level: Level 7

CEFR Level: Null

Keywords: Political Science, Democratization

Total students 2024/25: Unavailable

Average class size 2024/25: Unavailable

Controlled access 2024/25: No
Guidelines for interpreting course guide information

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

  • Communication