Jul 24, 2025  
OHIO University Graduate Catalog 2024-25 
    
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POLS 5495 - The Challenges of Democratization

Focuses on the process of democratization in historical and comparative perspective. Topics include historical and contemporary debates over the definition of democracy and the ethics of democratic and authoritarian government; how to qualitatively and quantitatively “measure” democracy; the major theories of democratization, democratic transition, and consolidation; trends in authoritarian efforts to limit or prevent democratization; the theory and practice of institutional design in new democracies; case studies of successful and failed democratization.

Requisites:
Credit Hours: 4
Repeat/Retake Information: May not be retaken.
Lecture/Lab Hours: 3.0 lecture
Grades: Eligible Grades: A-F,PR,WP,WF,WN,FN,AU,I
Learning Outcomes:
  • Students will be able to analyze and assess competing arguments about the theoretical process of democratization.
  • Students will be able to compare and contrast the process and outcomes of democratization between and among select cases.
  • Students will be able to describe and explain the process of and challenges to democratization in select cases.
  • Students will be able to examine various kinds of pro-democracy political movements and assess their practical strengths and weaknesses in bringing about democratic change.
  • Students will be able to evaluate competing historical and contingent explanations for the rise and decay of authoritarian regimes and the emergence of democracy.
  • Students will be able to identify and analyze the various strategies adopted by authoritarian regimes to prevent or limit democratization and democratic movements.


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