Dictatorship and Democracy

How should political systems be organised? This fundamental question remains entirely relevant today, as countries and organisations around the world seek to pursue complex objectives and to satisfy diverse stakeholders. In this unit, students tackle this question, drawing upon the writings of the theorists and practitioners of power themselves rather than solely via interpretations by others. The course begins with some general questions on dictatorship and democracy. It then moves on to examine the writings of a range of important political theorists. These writings will include examples from Ancient Greece, the Renaissance period in Europe, the Enlightenment period in Europe and America, the Totalitarian movements of the 20th Century, and some diverse contemporary political contexts.