Democracy, Terrorism and Violence

This subject is not offered in 2016.

170 hours

Politics and International Studies at Levels 1 & 2

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry.The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Democracy is popularly regarded as the fairest system of government. Yet it is a widely and deeply contested concept in political theory. In practice it can vary from the highly participatory to the narrowly elitist. This subject examines the key concepts in democratic theory and the ways in which they are employed in different political ideologies and movements. It identifies the main principles in which are invoked to support the political structures of different societies. In so doing the subject analyses concepts such as freedom, equality and rights and their implications for the nature of democracy and the organization of the state and civil society. It will also explain the different forms of political agency that exist in democracies from the nation to the community and the individual. in recent years the ideals of democracy have been challenged through the emergence of terrorism, the growth of violence perpetrated by democracies, and attendant issues such as the displacement of people, migration and policies on refugees. This subject examines the status of democracy in the world today and the implications of contemporary challenges for the future of democracy.

On completion of this subject students shoud be able to:

• introduce students to the main models and theories of democracy;
• critically examine the concepts and principles of liberal democracy;
• analyse alternative conceptions to liberal democracy in democratic theory;
• evaluate the relationship between the state and democracy in the light of debates around civil society and globalization;
• assess the roles of individuals and political community in the origanization of contemporary democracies;
• evaluate the implications of pluralism and multiculturalism for democratic theory;
• examine the role of violence, terrorism and conflict in democratic theory;
• analyse the role of markets and economic rationality in democratic societies.

• A 2000-word essay (50%) due mid-semester.
• A 2-hour exam (50%) scheduled during the examination period.

Hurdle requirement: Students must attend a minimum of 75% of tutorials in order to pass this subject. All pieces of written work must be submitted to pass this subject. Regular participation in tutorials is required.

Note: Assessment submitted late without an approved extension will be penalised at 10% per working day. In-class tasks missed without approval will not be marked.

A subject reader will be available.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

Available as a Breadth subject to non-Bachelor of Arts students