Theory in Political Science I : Democracy and Representation

The course presents a political science (i.e. non-normative, and empirically-oriented) perspective on democracy and representation. The first part of the course is dedicated to the concept of democracy in political science: definitions, focus on procedural characteristics, key aspects and processes, changes in democratic institutions and practices, and how democratic regimes are able (or not) to face contemporary substantive challenges. The second part of the course then focuses more closely on the process of representation that ensures that democratic regimes provide the policy responsiveness that is at the core of the definition of democracy. Based on the identification of key actors such as parties and voters, the courses analyses the action and interaction of these actors: how it led to the birth of mass democracy, what are the main dynamics involved (and how changes in such dynamics inevitably lead to changes in how democracy works), and what challenges to these interactions are leading to crisis and change in democracy.

Teachers: Prof. Lorenzo De Sio and Prof. Leonardo Morlino