GV313-6-AU-CO:
Authoritarianism
2020/21
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 08 October 2020
Friday 18 December 2020
15
18 December 2020
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
This module is designed to examine one of the biggest challenges to democracy in the contemporary world: authoritarianism. First we'll discuss what authoritarianism is and what the most common varieties of authoritarian regimes are. Then we'll go over the factors that drive politics in dictatorships and examine how these institutions can help explain the observed variation in autocratic
government performance. Last, we'll look at the logic of autocratic regime survival and conditions under which democratic transitions are more likely to occur.
The module aims to introduce students to the topic of political and bureaucratic corruption, a global problem that is present in dictatorships as well as democracies, in developing and more developed societies alike.
The module is meant to encourage students to think on their own, while ensuring that their thoughts are coherent and logically sound. At the end of the module, students should be able to articulate cogent answers to questions such as: What explains government performance, or lack thereof, in dictatorships? Why do nondemocratic rulers govern with democratic institutions, such as legislatures and political parties?
No additional information available.
This module will be delivered with (i) a weekly pre-recorded lecture and (ii) a weekly interactive lecture. The pre-recorded lecture will consist of one or more items of prepared content that students can access electronically and must study before the interactive lecture. The interactive lecture will consist of one 50-minute lecture in which students can ask questions about, and discuss various aspects of, the prepared content with the module supervisor.
- Gandhi, Jennifer. (2008) Political institutions under dictatorship, New York: Cambridge University Press.
- Levitsky, Steven; Way, Lucan. (c2010) Competitive authoritarianism: hybrid regimes after the Cold War, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Svolik, Milan W. (2012) The politics of authoritarian rule, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Joseph Wright. (2009) 'How Foreign Aid Can Foster Democratization in Authoritarian Regimes', in How Foreign Aid Can Foster Democratization in Authoritarian Regimes. vol. 53 (3) , pp.552-571
- Schedler, Andreas. (2002) 'The Menu of Manipulation', in Journal of Democracy. vol. 13 (2) , pp.36-50
- Diamond, Larry Jay. (2002) 'Thinking About Hybrid Regimes', in Journal of Democracy. vol. 13 (2) , pp.21-35
- Bruce Bueno de MesquitaJames D. MorrowRandolph M. SiversonAlastair Smith. (1999) 'Policy Failure and Political Survival: The Contribution of Political Institutions', in Policy Failure and Political Survival: The Contribution of Political Institutions. vol. 43 (2) , pp.147-161
The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course. The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students. Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Coursework |
Test |
|
50% |
| Coursework |
Essay |
|
50% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Ximena Velasco Guachalla, email: vv20291@essex.ac.uk.
Miss Vania Velsaco Guachalla
Vania Velasco Guachalla
Module Administrator: Edmund Walker, govquery@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Arzu Kibris
University of Warwick
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 145 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
145 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Government
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