History of Consciousness
HISC 220 Theories of Democracy and Dictatorship
Although democracy is generally accepted as the best and most legitimate form of government, there is little agreement on what it means and how it should function. This course explores the concept and theories of democracy, with a focus on the “People”—who constitutes the people, how popular will is embodied, and how it may be expressed. Course explores debates about different models of democracy and examines how alternatives to democracy, such as dictatorship, autocracy, and tyranny, have been conceptualized. Also studies democracy and its “others” in relation to a constellation of concepts including power, equality, participation, accountability, resistance, legitimacy, and the rule of law.