Aims

The aims in this module are to enable students:
1.       to reflect on the current state of democracy with respect to legitimacy, accountability, engagement and participation, and trust;
2.       to critically examine explanatory and normative theories relevant to democracy and the relationship between them;
3.       to critically evaluate the potential of democratic innovations to revitalize democracy.
4.       to synthesize these three elements.

Outline Of Syllabus

The module explores the state of democracy from a citizens’ perspective. As highlighted by the 2016 EU membership referendum in the UK, many consider democracy to be in crisis with growing levels of anti-political feelings, declining electoral turnout and party membership, and low levels of trust in institutions and politicians. This module starts with a consideration of problems with democracy in theory and practice, and then moves to consider some potential solutions. In particular a range of democratic reforms and innovations, currently employed in, or proposed for, governance around the world are critically reviewed. These innovations will be critically examined through a consideration of the work of the most important and influential contemporary democratic theorists, combined with a comparative consideration of supporting empirical evidence from across the globe. This will enable students to reflect upon the effects, viability and democratic potential of the varying democratic reforms and innovations to revitalize democracy. Indicative topics include:
•       The Democratic Malaise
•       Empirical Democratic Theory
•       Participatory Democracy
•       Deliberative Democracy
•       Democratic Innovations
•       Referenda
•       Participatory Budgeting
•       Mini-publics
•       Digital Democracy
• The Future of Democracy

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Student contact will primarily take place through a series of lectures and seminar classes, supported by engagement through the module’s virtual learning environment. The lectures introduce students to the key themes, cases, and related empirical evidence. There will be a requirement for independent study in terms of seminar preparation and the written assessments. A key focus will be placed on the encouragement of students to develop reading, writing and analytical skills through engagement with a variety of sources and academic texts relating to the subject area.

The essay will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate skills in research, critical analysis, judgment between different democratic innovations and democratic theories, writing, referencing and working autonomously. The case study assessment is aimed at developing academic and employability skills. In the course of selecting, researching, and writing up a case, method, or organization, students will learn about the substance of participation, finding secondary sources, and properly citing them. It will also provide an important formative context for the production of the exam where more extensive critical analysis will be expected.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The essay will provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate skills in research, critical analysis, judgment between different democratic innovations and democratic theories, writing, referencing and working autonomously. The case study article is aimed at developing academic and employability skills. In the course of selecting, researching, and writing up a case, method, or organization, students will learn about the substance of participation, finding secondary sources, and properly citing them. It will also provide an important formative context for the production of the exam where more extensive critical analysis will be expected.