POLS 3640 - Pol of Authoritarianism

Institution:

University of Utah

Subject:

Political Science

Description:

In the 1990s, autocracy seemed like a thing of the past. The collapse of the USSR alongside the democratization of countries in Western Europe, Latin America, South East Asia and Africa seemed to suggest the world would soon be inhabited by vibrant democracies. Unfortunately, that was not the case. In countries like North Korea, Saudi Arabia, or Cuba democratization did not even start; in countries like Russia, Nicaragua and, more recently, Egypt it was short-lived; countries like Belarus and Mozambique never moved past holding flawed elections; and countries like Hungary and Venezuela'thought to be solid democracies' have turned into dictatorships. What explains the stubborn persistence of authoritarianism across the world? In this class we will answer that question. Using examples from all over the world, we will discuss what an authoritarian regime is (and what it is not), why and how do authoritarian regimes come about, and how they survive. We will talk about the use of congress, courts, and elections to solidify authoritarian politics as well as the opportunities these provide to oppose them. In that process we will learn about the role of politicians, political parties, public opinion, social movements, and the international community in strengthening or weakening dictatorships.

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.utah.edu

Phone Number:

(801) 581-7200

Regional Accreditation:

Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities

Calendar System:

Semester

General Education

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