Assignment:
This course considers issues and problems of democracy in both theory and practice. The course is designed to familiarize students with the nature, history and practical complexities of democratic political institutions. Students will develop a deeper understanding of democratic institutions and processes, and of some of the challenges faced by democratic governments. We will begin with a theoretical explication of rationality, particularly as it pertains to the pros and cons of collective action, consistent with a government of the people (groups), by the people (groups), and for the people (groups). It will then move to issues such as the nature of democracy, constitutionalism, majority ride, self-rule, political representation, liberty, equality, the rule of law, regime change, and the value of political participation. The course also touches on the vote, the "currency" of democracy, including the challenge of cultivating, safeguarding. and maintaining the sanctity of the vote.
Learning Outcomes:
There is a world of difference between education and training. Training is preparation to undertake a narrow task, say performing a specific job on the assembly line at a vehicle manufacturing plant, It needs not be transferable. Conversely, education is preparation that positions one for global citizenship, emphasizing broader applications, in varied contexts. This is why education focuses on literature and theory, This course offers education on democracy. broadly defined. It is not training tor a specific democratic application.
At the end of this course, therefore, students are expected to have acquired the following broad knowledge/skills in two major segments of learning outcomes, as Ibllows:
Group A: Learning Outcomes Associated With Five Fundamental Themes of Democracy
• Citizen Participation: Democracy as a form of government driven by the governed.
Issue and Learning Outcome: I low do we get the buy-in and meaningful/sustained participation of the governed, to get them to realize that democracy is not a spectator sport?
• Culture: People from other lands, such as Africa, Asia, and the Middle East say they want a democracy conducive to their cultures. Others say democracy incorporates universal principles that have little or nothing to do with specific cultures.
Issue and Learning Outcome: Is democracy amenable to culture? How universal arc the principles of democracy?
• Information: Information, its management and flow are a major determinant of democratic, hence the clamor for a free press.
Issue and Learning Outcome: How do we guarantee freedom of the press and free flow on unbiased information?
• Religion: There has been a consistent effort in recent times to install democracy in Islamic states, such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Many have wondered whether adherence to religion of any kind, especially Islam, is conducive to democracy. This is notwithstanding the fact that majority Islamic states such as Turkey and Indonesia have successful democratic systems.
Issue and Learning Outcome: Is separation of church and state really the answer to institutionalization of democracy across the world?
• Representation: In a democracy, the masses select a few people to act on their behalf In so doing, they reduce their domain of private action and expand the domain of public action. It has been argued that publics are able to control these elected officials through periodic schedule of elections. In the United States, these elected officials, especially in Congress and other legislatures, have continued to be re-elected into office despite mass outcry that politicians are out of tenth with the wishes of the people. In other words, representation has run amok.
Issue and Learning Outcome: How can democracies ensure that representatives actually represent the will of the masses?
Group B: Miscellaneous Learning Outcomes
• Define democracy. Discuss the differences between democracy and other political systems
• Describe and analyze the different forms that democracy can take in theory, and the forms it has in fact taken at different times and places throughout world history
• The problem of constitutionalism and freedoms
• Controlling the exercise of political power in a democracy
• Discuss the relationship between democracy, individual liberty, and different concepts of political equality.
• Describe and analyze the problems of transition from other political forms to democratic political institutions.
• The Huge cost of democracy
• The problem of representation.
• Democracy and population heterogeneity
• Regime change
• Encouraging and sustaining citizen participation. The special role of demand protest.
• Discuss the important role of civic society as well as the significance of political participation for effective democracy.
• Identify challenges that American democracy faces today and difficulties likely to appear over the course of the next several decades.
• Describe and analyze alternative forms of democracy as well as alternative, non-democratic,political systems.