Democratic Theory

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• The ability to evaluate both proposed democratic ideals and the extent to which certain institutions realise them
• Knowledge and understanding of fundamental issues in democratic theory, including the meaning and justification of political equality and participation

The module will consist of five main topics (not necessarily in this order):

1) Inclusions and Exclusion

• Who constitutes the ‘demos’? What justifies broad inclusion? Is it justifiable to exclude certain groups, such as children, the elderly, or felons?

2) Political Participation

• How should ordinary citizens participate (e.g. only by voting or through deliberation)? Is there a duty to participate? Should it be mandatory? Should participants aim at ‘the common good’ or their own interests?

3) Representation

• Is representative democracy preferable to direct democracy? How should representatives behave (e.g. as trustees or delegates)? How should citizens be represented (e.g. in geographical constituencies or via PR)? Do minority groups need special representation and, if so, how is this possible?

4) Political Equality (and Inequality)

• What, if anything, justifies political equality? What are the arguments for giving some more power than others (e.g. differential competence or stakes)? What are the implications of equality?

5) Decision Rules

• How should decisions be reached? How can we identify ‘the will of the majority’? Should the majority be restricted, e.g. by constitutional rights? Are there alternative procedures that are fairer to minorities?

Teaching and learning methods

2 hours of lectures per week. All will be recorded and posted on Blackboard. Lectures will be delivered either face to face or online only depending upon University and Public Health England Guidance at the time. Total of 24 hours of lectures (2 hours per week X 12 weeks) per module.

Weekly student participation in online discussion boards. 1 hour per week delivered asynchronously. (1 hour X 12 weeks)

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Riker, William (1982). Liberalism Against Populism: A Confrontation between the Theory of Democracy and the Theory of Social Choice. Waveland Press.

Beckman, Ludvig (2009). The Frontiers of Democracy: The Right to Vote and its Limits. Palgrave Macmillan.

Lively, Jack (1975). Democracy. Blackwells.

Pitkin, Hanna (1967). The Concept of Representation. University of California Press.

Pateman, Carole (1970). Participation and Democratic Theory. Cambridge University Press.

McGann, Anthony (2006). The Logic of Democracy: Reconciling Equality, Deliberation, and Minority Protection. University of Michigan Press.

Beitz, Charles (1990). Political Equality: An Essay in Democratic Theory. Princeton University Press.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External