Democracy - Theory and Practice

obligatory courses

Classroom

The aim of the lecture is to familiarise students with the main problems of democracy, both from a theoretical, and a systemic-institutional perspective, as well as in the context of social, cultural and political practice.

The course is to help participants to understand the phenomenon of democracy as seemingly the most legitimate and preferred system of government in the contemporary world - though often conceived in various, sometimes incompatible ways. It will familiarise students with the multiplicity of interpretations of democracy, the variety of theoretical models, as well as critical approaches to this system and its philosophical and ideological foundations.

Third-year students are supposed to have some preliminary knowledge of democracy and its various forms. The course will build up on these grounds, aiming at broadening, deepening and structuring students’ knowledge in such a way that re-emphasises the theoretical relevance and political topicality of the issue of democracy, to allow for better understanding of its complexity and ambiguity.

The lecture will adopt an integral approach to democracy: historical reflections on the origins and evolution of democratic forms will be closely linked to the reconstruction and analysis of the main theoretical models, while ideological and theoretical premises will be confronted with the practice of the functioning of democracy in selected countries.

The various models of democracy, both historical and contemporary, will be discussed mainly with reference to D. Held's “Models of Democracy”, which will serve as our main textbook.

Special emphasis will be placed on the seminal nature of J. Schumpeter's and M. Weber's conception of democracy, as well as on the significance of later disputes about the forms of development of democratic participation and deliberation, the extent of possible consensus, and the role of antagonism in different varieties of the democratic system. With regard to the recent past, the development of techniques and technologies, especially information and communication technology and mass media, and their impact on the extent and quality of democratic participation will be discussed. Another important issue is the impact of contemporary civilisational and cultural changes, processes of regional integration, globalisation and cosmopolitanisation.

Much attention will be paid to the manifestations and consequences of the processes of 'massification' of democracy in the 19th and 20th centuries, the relationship between democracy and nationalism, interpretations of the phenomenon of populism, the role of civil society, and issues of trust and social capital in a democratic system.

The part devoted to democratic practice will discuss, among other things, the experience of post-communist countries after 1989, the problems of democracy in the European Union and the United States, and the rise of illiberal democracies. This part of the course will give all students an opportunity to present a case of their choice and to apply theoretical knowledge when assessing the advancement of democracy in a selected country.

Finally, we will discuss selected critiques of democratic ideas and practice - both ancient (Plato, Aristotle) and contemporary (leftist, anarchist, republican, monarchist).

Such an open approach is to show the unique place of democracy in the broad context of endless disputes about the nature of man and social relations, the role of the state and the nature of power.

Reading materials (selected fragments):

L. Canfora, Democracy in Europe. A History of an Ideology.

F. Cunningham, Theories of Democracy. A Critical Introduction.

R. A. Dahl, A Preface to Democratic Theory.

R. Dahl, Democracy and its Critics.

R. A. Dahl, I. Shapiro, On Democracy.

R. A. Dahl, I. Shapiro, J. A. Cheibub (eds.), The Democracy Sourcebook

F. Fukuyama, The End of History and the Last Man.

D. Held, Models of Democracy.

H-H. Hoppe, Democracy. The God That Failed.

Y. Mény, Y. Surel (eds.), Democracies and the Populist Challenge.

Ch. Mouffe, The Democratic Paradox.

J. Ortega y Gasset, The Revolt of the Masses.

R.D. Putnam, R. Leonardi, Y. R. Nanetti, Making Democracy Work. Civic Traditions in Modern Italy.

J. Ranciere, Hatred of Democracy.

G. Sartori, The Theory of Democracy Revisited.

J. Schumpeter, Capitalism, Socialism and Democracy.

A. de Tocqueville, Democracy in America.

Ch. Tilly, Democracy.

F. Zakaria, The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad.

All reading materials will be e-mailed directly to students via USOSmail.

Learning outcomes:

1. Knowledge

Upon completing this course, a student knows and understands:

a) the essence of democracy of civil society and of political culture from historical and contemporary perspectives in the European and global contexts,

b) different concepts of politics and the values, patterns, and social norms prevailing in the state and society, and enabling political participation in the context of democratic politics,

c) the multiplicity of interpretations of democracy, the variety of theoretical models, as well as critical approaches to this system and its philosophical and ideological foundations.

2. Skills:

Upon completing this course, a student is able to:

a) identify the causes and progression of phenomena concerning the political sphere; is able to study and explain the role of social, economic and cultural structures, relevant to democratic politics,

b) distinguish and explain the principles and values of a democratic state as well as civil society,

c) identify the assumptions of different policy conceptions and evaluate their effectiveness in the context of a democratic political system and culture.

3. Competences:

Upon completing this course, a student is ready:

a) to actively participate in public life, including democratic debates and activities pursuing social, political, and civic goals,

b) to critically assess both achievements and deficits of a given democratic system.

Assessment:

- Regular attendance - required. Two absences are allowed without consequences. In case of greater number of absences, some additional reading or an extra assignment paper may be required.

- Active participation in class discussions, based first of all on assigned reading - recommended.

- Class presentation on practical aspects of democracy in a selected country - either on December 13th, 20th or January 10th - required.

- Final written examination (90 minutes) - required.

Important: in order to complete the course, student needs to meet formal criteria (attendance and a class presentation) and receive at least a passing grade (“3”) from the final test.

Grade distribution (approximately):

Attendance, participation in class discussions: 25%

Class presentation: 25%

Final examination: 50%

Not applicable.