Modulets indhold, forløb og pædagogik

Liberal democracy is under threat around the globe. Even long-established democracies show worrying signs of democratic decay, as authoritarian politicians gain popular support and democratic institutions are captured. This course introduces students to the current trends in democratic developments in the United States and Europe. A central focus lies on the institutional and cultural safeguards democracies have at their disposal to defend them against authoritarian challenges.

The first part of the course discusses democratic backsliding in the United States and Central Europe. We analyze the strategies of authoritarian challengers, as well as democracies’ safeguards to counter these challenges. The second part of the course asks students to apply the existing theories to the case of Denmark, assessing the resilience of the Danish democratic system in exercise and workshop sessions.

Læringsmål

Viden

• Is familiar with the current trends and recent challenges to Western democracies.
• Understands the main safeguards democratic systems have at their disposal to counter authoritarianism.

Færdigheder

• Can describe, discuss and analyze the recent challenges to Western democracies from a theoretically informed perspective.
• Can pinpoint and discuss the strength and weaknesses of the Danish political system with respect to democratic resilience.

Kompetencer

• Can compare political systems and developments.
• Can apply democratic theories to recent events.
• Can assess political institutions and formulate recommendations for potential improvements.
• Can develop political assessments within groups. 

Undervisningsform

Lectures, workshops and exercises.

Eksamen

Prøver