This advanced course deepens students’ understanding of democratization and democratic backsliding by engaging with recent research at the intersection of comparative politics and international relations. It begins with a recapitulation of economic explanations of democratization, revisiting the classic debate on how economic growth and inequality shape political regime transitions while introducing new research that highlights the risks of democratic backsliding under conditions of poor economic performance. The course then introduces new thematic modules on the impact of democracy aid channeled through civil society; citizens’ responses to democratic backsliding; the international dimension of democratic erosion, and the influence on these patterns of the global apathy for democracy promotion.

TEACHING METHODS

In-presence teaching alternates between lectures and student presentations, with the aim of fostering critical engagement with the literature and strengthening analytical and communication skills. Students will be given in advance the material they have to present in class. After the in-presence classes, there will be one online lecture. Finally, the course concludes with an in-presence written assessment combining open-ended and multiple-choice questions.

• Lectures in presence (10 hours)

• Student presentations and group discussions in presence (5 hours)

• Online lecture and final in-presence exam (3+2 hours)