Democracy and its Dilemmas (POLS30033)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2018

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Overview

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This subject will examine the history of theories of democracy with a particular focus on the persistent “dilemmas of democracy” in the 21st century. Beginning in the classical tradition, it will quickly shift to focus on the “constitutional settlement” of liberal democracy in the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries. However, the majority of the focus will be on the 20th and 21st century debates around Elite, Pluralist, Deliberative and Neo-republican theories of democracy. Throughout all this, the changing shape of persistent dilemmas will be primary. These include (but are not necessarily limited to): the problem of political ignorance, the tyranny of the majority, the problem of stability, and the problem of pluralism. However, the subject will also examine how these dilemmas have manifested in contemporary popular debates around political apathy, free speech and tolerance, cosmopolitanism, and sovereignty. In conclusion, the subject will consider possibilities of democratic renewal in recent theories of radical democracy.

 

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject students should:

  • Understand and compare the main theories of democracy and how these theories prescribe and limit democracy.
  • Critically analyses the key dilemmas of democracy, both persistent and recent, and connect them to contemporary debates around political apathy, free speech and tolerance, cosmopolitanism, and sovereignty.
  • Understand and recognize how concepts in democratic theory are used politically as well as ideologically in both domestic and international conflicts about the scope and nature of citizen participation in government, in particular with regard to the politics of inclusion and exclusion.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of how to connect theoretical research with empirical case studies, including how to formulate and execute a comprehensive argument about democracy in the 21st century.
  • Communicate effectively in oral and written formats.

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

None

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

Politics and International Studies at Levels 1 & 2

Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)

The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.

Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Assessment

Additional details

  • A short essay of 1,000 words (25%) due mid-semester.
  • A research essay of 3,000 words (75%) due during the examination period.
  • Hurdle Requirement: This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required.
  • Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10 marks per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject.

 

 

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Dates & times

Not available in 2018

Time commitment details

170 hours

Last updated: 14 March 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    Recommended texts and other resources

    Blaug and Schwartzmantle, Democracy: a Reader (Columbia), 2nd Ed. 2016.

    David Held, Models of Democracy (Stanford, US: Stanford University Press, 2006).

    John S. Dryzek and Patrick Dunleavy, Theories of the Democratic State (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009).

  • Subject notes

    This subject is avaialble as breadth to non-Bachelor of Arts students.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    MajorPolitics and International Studies
  • Breadth options

    This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:

  • Links to additional information

    http://arts.unimelb.edu.au/ssps

  • Available through the Community Access Program

    About the Community Access Program (CAP)

    This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.

    Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants

    Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.

Last updated: 14 March 2025