Contemporary Theories of Democracy

3 credits · Graduate

Seminar has three aims: (a) to introduce students to some important topics and approaches in contemporary democratic theory; (b) to investigate the ways in which these issues are related to broader discussions about the strengths and weaknesses of democracy and the rule of law; (c) to familiarize students with a range of strategies for justifying or criticizing political arrangements or policies. Topics include social justice, individual rights and community, representation, deliberation, the relationship between democratic decision-making and markets and the normative implications of moral, religious and ideological pluralism.