POL706 Theory of Democracy

Faculty of Social Studies
Autumn 2013
Extent and Intensity
0/0/0. 10 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
prof. PhDr. Lubomír Kopeček, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Mgr. Otto Eibl, Ph.D. (assistant)
doc. Mgr. Peter Spáč, Ph.D. (assistant)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Lubomír Kopeček, Ph.D.
Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Libuše Stará
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The aim of the course is to improve and deepen the knowledge of the phenomena of democracy. Its topics include the development of democracy, approaches studying its features and the evolution of democratic regimes and the main models, concepts and characters, which are connected with the theory of democracy. The class also explains historical conditions of establishing modern democracy and the newest trends in the field of research of democracy. In a comparative perspective the theme of non-democratic and hybrid regimes is also included. During the course students have to write a paper. If they don’t achieve to fulfill this condition in the set time, they will not be allowed to take part in the final exam. In the paper the students should apply the obtained knowledge on a case study. The course ends by a written final exam. The syllabus can be found in IS e-folder before the start of the semester.
Syllabus
  • Topic 1: notion of democracy. Topic 2: conditions of modern democracy, democratic transition, crises and breakdowns of democracies. Topic 3: elitists and democracy. Topic 4: models of democracy. Topic 5: non-democratic and hybrid regimes. Topic 6: perspectives of democracy.
Literature
  • BALÍK, Stanislav and Michal KUBÁT. Teorie a praxe totalitních a autoritativních režimů (The Theory and Practice of Totalitarian and Authoritarian Regimes). 1st ed. Praha: Dokořán, 2004, 168 pp. Edice Bod. ISBN 80-86569-89-6. info
  • HLOUŠEK, Vít and Lubomír KOPEČEK. Demokracie. Teorie, modely, osobnosti, podmínky, nepřátelé a perspektivy demokracie (Democracy. Theories, Models, Individualities, Conditions, Enemies and Perspectives of Democracy). 1st ed. Brno: Mezinárodní politologický ústav Masarykovy univerzity, 2003, 379 pp. Sborníky, svazek č.16. ISBN 80-210-3195-6. info
  • NOVÁK, Miroslav. Jakou demokracii pro nové demokracie? : konsensuální model, efektivita a kulturně homogenní země. 1. vyd. Brno: Masarykova univerzita. Mezinárodní politologický ústav, 2001, 86 s. ISBN 8021027428. info
Teaching methods
reading, homework
Assessment methods
Final test and paper.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: in blocks.
The course is also listed under the following terms Autumn 2000, Autumn 2001, Autumn 2002, Autumn 2003, Autumn 2004, Autumn 2005, Autumn 2006, Autumn 2007, Autumn 2008, Autumn 2009, Autumn 2010, Autumn 2011, Autumn 2012, Autumn 2014, Autumn 2015.
  • Enrolment Statistics (Autumn 2013, recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/fss/autumn2013/POL706