Course directory

OAFP 9615 - Playground of Democracy: Understanding Democratic Dynamics through Central and Eastern Europe

OAFP 9615 · Fall semester 2026-2027

Language of tuition
English
Course type
Cours séminaire
Number of hours
24
Credits
4

Information

Description

This course addresses the dynamics of modern democracy, but unlike most courses of its kind which overwhelmingly focus on established democracies, it takes an alternative path, rather moving from east to west. It suggests that central and eastern Europe (CEE) is not an idiosyncratic anomaly, but rather on the contrary, a fascinating playground of democracy. Through its complex democratization in the 1990s, rapid economic development, political integration into the EU and NATO, and continuous, but increasing struggle with opponents of liberal democracy and political pluralism, the region provides a invaluable mirror to all democracies. This course thus proposes to learn about democracy in general, and about democracy in the west in particular, by comparing the political development, social, and economic change between the east and west over the past 35 years. In doing so, the course exposes the fundamental dimensions, dynamics and fragilities of contemporary democracy as we know it.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites, all readings will be related to the sessions.

Teaching format

Lectures, combined with cooperation with a class at Charles University in Prague

Assessment

Blueprint for restoring democracy

You are an advisor to a new PM who was reelected on the promise to reestablish democratic functioning. In cooperation with Charles University students, prepare a policy brief outlining the key steps regarding society, parties, institutions. Base your analysis on two previous cases of democratization. Your specific tasks are:

Create a press release (2 pages) concerning your main priorities 10% (due early October)

Presentation of final proposal 30% (due in November)

Policy brief (short paper, 8 pages) 40% (due end of November)

Presence and participation 20%

Readings

Main readings 5

  1. Bunce, Valerie. 1995. “Should Transitologists Be Grounded?” Slavic Review 54(1): 111–127.

  2. Ekiert, Grzegorz, Jan Kubik, and Milada Anna Vachudova. 2007. “Democracy in the Post-Communist World: An Unending Quest?” East European Politics and Societies 21(1): 7–30.

  3. Rhoden, T. F. 2015. “The Liberal in Liberal Democracy.” Democratization 22 (3): 560–578.

  4. Schmitter, Philippe C., and Terry Lynn Karl. 1991. “What Democracy Is… and Is Not.” Journal of Democracy 2(3)

  5. Selection from Rueschemeyer, Dietrich, Evelyne Huber Stephens, and John D. Stephens. 1992. Capitalist Development and Democracy. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

    Borrow

Further readings 3

  1. Chapter on CEE state-building in Linz, Juan J., and Alfred Stepan. 1996. Problems of Democratic Transition and Consolidation: Southern Europe, South America, and Post-Communist Europe. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press.

    Borrow

  2. Offe, Claus. 1991. “Capitalism by Democratic Design? Democratic Theory Facing the Triple Transition in East Central Europe.” in Political Economy of Transformation

  3. Selection from Brubaker, Rogers. 1996. Nationalism Reframed: Nationhood and the National Question in the New Europe. Cambridge University Press.

    Borrow

Teaching units

Unit no.Unit type Teaching unitsTeachers Number of hoursCredits
19592Cours séminaire Playground of Democracy: Understanding Democratic Dynamics through Central and Eastern Europe —244