Democracy - theories, practices and dilemmas

The course introduces and problematises different theoretical views on democracy based on Robert Dahl's seminal work On Democracy, which informs discussions of key dilemmas for democratic governments in terms of content, procedures, and practices. Central aspects treated in the course are views of demos and the citizen, and the relation between democracy, politics, and governance regarding democratic dilemmas such as automatisation and digitalisation, globalisation and climate change. Towards the end of the course, theoretical arguments about democracy are related to current democratic challenges and dilemmas. The students select a contemporary case of democracy under threat, for example in relation to "fake news" and other forms of manipulation. Instruction is in the form of lectures and seminars. Some of the seminars are chaired by students.