PHI 444 DEMOCRACY IN CRISIS

Many argue that democracy is "in crisis" today, both in the U.S. and abroad. The course considers whether democracy is an ideal worth fighting for and what it must be in order to live up to its fullest potential.  Among the ideas explored will be populism, the rule of law, checks and balances, free and fair elections, norms of truth and reason, freedom of the press and expression, keeping politics free of corruption, and national unity. Special attention will be given to the claim that "democratic norms and expectations" are as important as institutional frameworks to a well-functioning democracy.