Democracy and its Discontents in the 21st Century (SEM131)

Presentation

Abraham Lincoln famously defined democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people.” Although democracy can be thought of as ‘power of the people,’ several challenges exist. The seminar addresses complex challenges that contemporary democracies face. Key issues to be explored include human rights abuses, rising inequality, authoritarianism, and the impact of disinformation on public trust and civic engagement. Participants will analyze specific case studies from countries from Africa, Europe and the United States, highlighting how these issues manifest in different political contexts. The seminar will also encourage discussions on the implications of populism, the erosion of democratic norms, and the struggle for social justice. By examining these pressing concerns, the seminar aims to foster a deeper understanding of the threats to democracy and to explore collaborative strategies for promoting human rights, equality, and democratic resilience in the contemporary world.

Objectives

By the end of this seminar, one should be able to:

• provide a comprehensive understanding of democratic principles and their historical evolution.
• analyze the challenges posed by human rights abuses in democratic societies.
• explore the impact of inequality on political participation and representation.
• assess the rise of authoritarianism and its implications for global democracy.
• foster critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving skills among participants.

Learning Outcomes

One should be able to:

• articulate the fundamental principles of democracy and their relevance today.
• identify and analyze specific instances of human rights abuses in democratic contexts.
• evaluate the effects of economic inequality on civic engagement and policy outcomes.
• recognize the signs of authoritarianism and propose strategies for democratic resilience.
• develop informed perspectives on global democratic challenges and potential solutions through case study analysis.

Steps

Step 1 Understanding Democracy: Foundations and Principles

The first step of the course will focus on the possible definitions of democracy, its foundations and principles. What is democracy? Participants will examine how foundational concepts of democracy such as representation, accountability and the rule of law are challenged in the contemporary world.

Step 2 Human Rights and Democratic Governance

This step will help participants to analyze the relationship between democracy and human rights. Discussions will include case studies of human rights abuses and violations in various democratic contexts and their implications for governance.

Step 3 Authoritarianism and the Erosion of Democratic Norms

This step will examine the extent to which authoritarianism has had negative impacts on established democracies. Based on case studies, participants will discuss strategies for resisting authoritarian trends and safeguarding democratic norms in an increasingly polarized political landscape.

Step 4 The Future of Democracy: Opportunities and Prospects

This final step will explore prospects and opportunities for democracy. Participants will consider how some of the challenges discussed under previous steps can be resolved and how emerging social movements and international cooperation can strengthen democratic practices and address persisting challenges.

Evaluation Methods

A contribution of approx. 4000 characters, including spaces, for each step 
Participation in the debate during the second week (quality over quantity)