ADVANCED INTRODUCTION TO THEORIES IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES I. INTRODUCTION DEMOCRATIC THEORY
Prerequisiti
PhD first year compulsory
Programma
The course aims at presenting different conceptions of democracy as they have emerged in theories and in practices. As such, it introduces some main topics in political sociology, bridging concerns with theoretical approaches as well as empirical research on democracy within and beyond institutions.
The course has a seminar format. Participants are asked to read the assigned readings and discuss them in the class. Positional papers on one (or more) of the topics addressed in the seminar will be required.
Session 1 to 3 will be led by Donatella della Porta; session 4 to 7 will be led by Hans Jorg Trenz
Session 1. Liberal democracy and its discontent
This session introduces various conceptualization of democracy, singling out the development of conceptions and practices of liberal democracy and its challenges.
Readings:
Donatella della Porta, Can Democracy be Saved?, Polity, 2013, chapter 1
Donatella della Porta, Where did the revolution go?, Cambridge University Press, 2016, chapter 1.
Session 2. Participatory and deliberative conceptions of democracy
This session discusses alternative visions of democracy with particular attention to participatory and deliberative conceptions and practices, in civil society and public institutions.
Readings:
Della Porta, Donatella, Can democracy be saved?, Oxford, Polity Press, 2013, Chaps. 3 and 4
Della Porta, Donatella, Social Movements in times of austerity, Oxford, Polity Press, 2015, chap. 1 & 4.
Session 3. Democratization and democratic deepening
This session looks at recent innovations in democracy, with particular attention to constitutional processes and direct democracy.
Readings:
Della Porta, Donatella, How social movements can save democracy, Polity, 2020, chapter 1 and 2.
Smith, Graham, 2010, Democratic Innovation. Designing Institutions for Citizens’ Participation, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, chaps. 1 and 5.
Obiettivi formativi
The course aims at presenting different conceptions of democracy as they have emerged in theories and in practices. As such, it introduces some main topics in political sociology, bridging concerns with theoretical approaches as well as empirical research on democracy within and beyond institutions.
The course has a seminar format. Participants are asked to read the assigned readings and discuss them in the class. Positional papers on one (or more) of the topics addressed in the seminar will be required.
Session 1 to 3 will be led by Donatella della Porta; session 4 to 7 will be led by Hans Jorg Trenz
Session 1. Liberal democracy and its discontent
This session introduces various conceptualization of democracy, singling out the development of conceptions and practices of liberal democracy and its challenges.
Readings:
Donatella della Porta, Can Democracy be Saved?, Polity, 2013, chapter 1
Donatella della Porta, Where did the revolution go?, Cambridge University Press, 2016, chapter 1.
Session 2. Participatory and deliberative conceptions of democracy
This session discusses alternative visions of democracy with particular attention to participatory and deliberative conceptions and practices, in civil society and public institutions.
Readings:
Della Porta, Donatella, Can democracy be saved?, Oxford, Polity Press, 2013, Chaps. 3 and 4
Della Porta, Donatella, Social Movements in times of austerity, Oxford, Polity Press, 2015, chap. 1 & 4.
Session 3. Democratization and democratic deepening
This session looks at recent innovations in democracy, with particular attention to constitutional processes and direct democracy.
Readings:
Della Porta, Donatella, How social movements can save democracy, Polity, 2020, chapter 1 and 2.
Smith, Graham, 2010, Democratic Innovation. Designing Institutions for Citizens’ Participation, Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, chaps. 1 and 5.
Riferimenti bibliografici
see above