University of Portland Bulletin 2024-2025

POL 465 Democrat vs Dictator: Governance in an Authoritarian Age

Does Democracy matter to outcomes in individual countries or in international relations? Why are we increasingly seeing authoritarian tendencies globally, even in established democracies? We explore theories and practice of democratization using country case studies to understand the pressures that lead to democratic erosion. Students interrogate the role of citizen and leader in maintaining democracy in their home countries.

Prerequisite

POL 250 or instructor permission