Content
Democracy is one of the most influential and contested concepts in political thought. Democratic theory addresses fundamental conceptual and normative questions: What is democracy? Why should political power belong to the people? What makes democratic rule legitimate? Why should citizens obey laws with which they disagree? And how is democracy related to concepts such as liberty, equality, and political representation?
The seminar explores these questions through close readings of both classic (e.g. Rousseau, Schumpeter) and contemporary authors (e.g. Pitkin, Rawls, Waldron). Rather than providing a broad historical survey, it is organized around a series of major debates concerning democratic rule, legitimacy, exclusion, public communication, and contemporary challenges to democracy. In addition to text-based discussions, the course includes simulation games that allow participants to explore how different democratic institutions shape political outcomes in practice.
Organisation
Please register for the seminar via LSF. Registration is not a formal prerequisite for participation, but it greatly facilitates the planning and organization of the course.
Participants who register through LSF will receive access to the seminar's digital workspace before the beginning of the winter semester, where course materials and further information will be made available.
Wednesdays
Time: 14.00 - 16.00 Uhr
Place: To be anounced
- DozentIn: Roland Bluhm
- DozentIn: Adis Selimi