PO 6555 - Democracy Under Threat

The meaning of our Constitution, arguments over separation of powers, and the vision of a group of men in 18th century Philadelphia seem to preoccupy the talking heads on cable news every night. Discussion of the principles of American democracy and where it is headed have exploded since the 2016 election and the subsequent impeachment trial of Donald Trump, but the trend lines have been forming for over a decade. There is abundant and disturbing evidence that democracy and democratic values are in retreat worldwide. Hundreds of books, research papers and monographs have been written on the subject in recent years, and articles appear daily in major newspapers. This course will offer a rigorous comparative academic study of these topics and empower students to evaluate democratic and authoritarian indicators and understand contemporary stresses and challenges to the cause for human freedom. Credits: 4