Can Democracy Work?

Democracy is widely regarded as the most legitimate form of government, yet it faces profound challenges in today’s world. Issues such as misinformation, populism, social inequalities, extreme partisanship and anti-democratic movements are thought to undermine the effectiveness of democratic politics, if not its very foundations. Addressing these challenges requires not only an understanding of how democratic institutions function in practice but also a deeper exploration of what makes democracy valuable and desirable in the first place.

This course critically examines whether democracy can overcome its contemporary challenges by integrating normative democratic theory with empirical research. Students will explore major theories of democracy, ranging from elite and minimalist models to radical participatory and deliberative approaches. They will assess what these theories identify as democracy’s core values, alongside their assumptions about the behaviour of institutions, politicians, and citizens.

Building on this theoretical foundation, students will apply these frameworks to pressing contemporary issues. Key questions include: Are voters competent and informed enough for democracy to succeed? Do differences of wealth and identity undermine democratic equality? Can democracies manage deep polarisation and how should they defend themselves against anti-democratic forces?

Participants will evaluate the severity of these challenges and the feasibility of proposed policy solutions and institutional reforms. By combining philosophical and empirical approaches, students will develop advanced analytical skills to assess how democracy functions, how it should function, and whether it can adapt to meet today’s challenges

The unit aims to:
- Introduce students to major theories of democracy and democracy’s value
- Explore how these theories can be applied to various challenges facing contemporary democracies – such as misinformation, populism, and polarisation, and anti-democratic movements.
- Develop students' abilities to combine normative and empirical research to produce a fuller understanding of these challenges.
- Explore the desirability and feasibility of proposed policy responses and institutional reforms.

The unit examines whether democracy can address contemporary challenges by integrating normative democratic theories with empirical research. Students will explore foundational theories of democracy — such as elite, deliberative, and agonistic democracy — and their assumptions about institutional and citizen behaviour. These frameworks will be applied to critical issues, including misinformation, polarisation, populism, and the rise of anti-democratic movements. Combining theoretical and empirical perspectives, students will critically assess the severity of these challenges and the feasibility of proposed policy responses and reforms, honing analytical skills to evaluate how democracy does and should function (the following topics are open to change each year).

(1) How should democracy work? – Overview of major normative theories of democracy and their assumptions about what is required of democratic institutions and citizens.

(2) Voter Competence and Political Ignorance – Focus on theories of voter knowledge and normative debates over voter competence.

(3) Voter Competence and Misinformation – Focus on theories of misinformation and normative debates over voter competence.

(4) Polarization and Disagreement - Focus on theories of ideological polarization and normative debates over political disagreement and conflict

(5) Polarization and Partisanship – Focus on theories of partisanship and normative arguments over political disagreement and conflict.

(6) Inequality and Wealth – Focus on the impact of economic inequality on democratic institutions and normative arguments over political quality.

(7) Inequality and Identity – Focus on philosophical accounts of social identity and marginalisation, and normative debates over their impact on political equality.

(8) Anti-Democracy and Populism – Focus on theories of populism and normative debates over its compatibility with democracy.

(9) Anti-Democracy and Democratic Self-Defence – Focus on theories of democratic self-defence and normative debates over how to respond to anti-democratic movements.

(10) Course Overview and Assessment Guidance

This course employs a combination of lectures, seminars, and e-learning activities to support student learning and engagement. Across ten weeks, students will participate in ten two-hour lectures and ten one-hour seminars in smaller groups, providing a structured yet interactive framework to explore the course material.

The lectures are designed to introduce students to key concepts, theories, and empirical research relevant to contemporary challenges to democracy. These sessions will offer a mix of traditional presentation formats and interactive elements, such as live polls and Q&A opportunities, to enhance understanding and engagement.

The seminars complement the lectures by fostering critical discussion and deeper analysis of the topics covered. These smaller group sessions emphasise active participation, where students will engage in debates, analyse specific texts, and collaboratively evaluate proposed policy responses.

E-learning components involve students having access to asynchronous materials via the virtual learning environment (VLE), including lecture recordings, short explanation videos, and supplementary readings. I also plan to use E-learning in both the lectures and assessments. The former will include a digital quiz based on the questions of a standard voter knowledge study, allowing students to form a clearer idea of what the empirical literature shows. The latter will involve a critical evaluation of an online tool designed to reduce bias and polarisation.

Understand the main theories of democracy and the normative debates around contemporary challenges.

Critically construct and reflect upon normative arguments and integrate them with empirical insights.
Offer nuanced and critical assessments of policy proposals and institutional reforms.

Synthesise theoretical and empirical research into a coherent picture which can offer insights into contemporary challenges.

Formulate and communicate complex ideas clearly and concisely.
Engage in problem-solving and offer reasoned solutions to complex challenges.

Politics staff will provide feedback on written work within 15 working days of submission. 
Students should be aware that all marks are provisional until confirmed by the external 
examiner and the final examinations boards in June. For modules that do not have 
examination components the marks and feedback for the final assessed component are 
not subject to the 15 working day rule and will be released with the examination results. 
You will receive feedback on assessed essays in a standard format. This will rate your 
essay in terms of various aspects of the argument that you have presented your use of 
sources and the quality of the style and presentation of the essay. If you have any queries 
about the feedback that you have received, you should make an appointment to see your 
tutor. This will include suggestions about ways in which you could improve your work in future. 
You will also receive feedback on non-assessed coursework, whether this is individual or 
group work. This may be of a more informal kind and may include feedback from peers as well as academic staff.