Shri Modi in India, Giorgia Meloni in Italy, Victor Orbán in Hungary, Javier Milei in Argentina or Donald Trump in the USA represent a recent wave of far-right populism that raises questions about the existing theories of democratic consolidation. Empirical evidence from various democracy indexes, such as V-DEM or Freedom House, suggests that we may already be experiencing a period of democratic decline. However, despite this evidence, a comprehensive academic understanding of this phenomenon is still lacking. 

In this course, we will explore the politics of democratic decline from a comparative perspective. Our first focus will be on understanding the concepts and current discussions surrounding liberal democracy, illiberalism, democratic backsliding, far-right and far-left populism. We will delve into the intricacies of these concepts to gain a deeper insight into the challenges they pose to democratic systems. Subsequently, we will examine some of the potential causal factors contributing to democratic decline, such as polarization, inequality, and non-democracy promoters. In the final section of the course, we will concentrate on the most relevant case studies, including the USA, India, and Turkey, with special attention given to the rule of law backsliding and the far-right parties within the EU. By closely examining these cases, we aim to gain practical insights into the complex dynamics at play in various contexts and their potential implications for global democratic governance.

In the second part of this class, we will learn how to develop a foresight exercise and write a policy brief. Besides that, we will play a simulation game, providing an interactive opportunity for students to apply the knowledge they have acquired throughout the course. These exercises will enable participants to understand the complexities of decision-making in the face of democratic challenges and make well-informed choices to safeguard democratic values and institutions.

Evaluación

Class participation: 25% You are expected to come to class prepared to discuss the readings, and to be an active contributor in class discussions. 

Writing: 40% Over the course of the semester you will be required to write a policy brief/short paper about one of problems identified in the readings (to be approved by the instructor by week 3). You will be required to analyze this phenomenon using the conceptual and theoretical tools learned in class. You will hand in this brief/paper (approximately 3000 words). Each output should be analytical rather than descriptive, and should advance and defend a clear argument.

Presentation: 25% In the presentation, students will prepare a short (5 minutes) presentation on a political event or trend of their choice that relates to the topic of the seminar. The topic selection needs to be approved by the instructor by week 2. 

The presentation aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the chosen political event or trend, drawing upon the knowledge gained during the seminar. It offers students the opportunity to critically examine and present different perspectives on the issue, fostering a deeper understanding of the complexities and potential solutions related to the topic.

Simulation: 10% In class 12 you will participate in a class simulation, where different groups will discuss a possible punishment Hungary’s due to RoL violation in the EU.