Over the last few decades, a wave of democracy has swept the world,
overturning authoritarian regimes and replacing them with popularly
elected governments in Latin America, Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa,
and most recently, the Middle East. These events have dramatically
altered the global political landscape and have prompted speculation
among some observers that the “democratic age” is upon us. However,
stable and enduring democratic rule is hardly a forgone conclusion in
most new democracies, as the transition process is often accompanied
by profound challenges. In this course, we will explore the many
difficulties associated with democracy building around the world, as
well as the causes and consequences of the global surge in democratic
governance. In so doing, we will tackle some of the most pressing
political questions of our time.

The course is organized around several key themes. First, we will
examine the concept of democracy: What is democracy? How do we know
it when we see it? What are its strengths and weaknesses? What are
the alternatives? Second, we will analyze the origins of
democratization: How do democratic transitions begin? Who are the
primary actors in this process? Are there necessary “preconditions”
(cultural, economic, etc.) for democracy to take root? Third, we will
address the processes of building and consolidating new democracies:
What types of institutions help democracies to survive? What role do
citizens and civic groups play? How do we know when a democratic
regime is consolidated and will not revert to authoritarian rule?
Finally, we will consider what the future may hold for democracy
around the world: Is democracy likely to endure everywhere it has
begun? Will we see a reverse wave of “de-democratization”? What can
be done to strengthen democratic governance where it currently exists
and to promote democracy where it is absent? In exploring these
themes, we will draw on examples from all regions of the world to
facilitate a broad understanding of democratization theory.

Active participation will be highly valued in this course, though no
prior knowledge is assumed. Classes will be structured to stimulate
an open exchange of ideas, and in turn, students will be expected to
come to class prepared and ready to contribute. Writing assignments
will include: a critical review of one of the readings; weekly
quizzes covering key concepts in the course (which should be a breeze
if you’ve done the readings and engaged yourself in class
discussions); and a final paper of 5-7 pages assessing the course of
democratization in a country of your choosing. There is no midterm or
final.