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Democracy and its Dilemmas (POLS30033)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5Not available in 2022
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
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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: 11 April 2024
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: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A short essay
| Mid semester | 25% |
A research essay
| During the examination period | 75% |
Hurdle requirement: This subject has a minimum Hurdle Requirement of 75% tutorial attendance. Regular participation in tutorials is required. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Additional details
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.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
Not available in 2022
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
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:
Type Name Minor Politics and International Studies minor Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies Major Politics and International Studies Specialisation (formal) Politics and International Studies - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Biomedicine
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Production)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- Bachelor of Science
- Links to additional information
- 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.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024