POL368 Modern Authoritarianism: Undemocratic Rule in the 21st Century

Faculty of Social Studies
Spring 2016
Extent and Intensity
2/0/0. 6 credit(s). Type of Completion: zk (examination).
Teacher(s)
Mgr. et Mgr. Michal Mochťak, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
prof. PhDr. Stanislav Balík, Ph.D.
Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Contact Person: Mgr. Lucie Pospíšilová
Supplier department: Division of Politology – Department of Political Science – Faculty of Social Studies
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is only offered to the students of the study fields the course is directly associated with.

The capacity limit for the course is 10 student(s).
Current registration and enrolment status: enrolled: 0/10, only registered: 0/10
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
there are 11 fields of study the course is directly associated with, display
Course objectives
The course aims at introducing the phenomenon of so-called modern authoritarianism, a modern form of authoritarian rule that has evolved in the past 15 years as a reaction to political pressure, international democracy support and continuing process of hybridization. Starting with discussion about the hybrid regimes and classic examples of nondemocratic rule, the course presents current trend of advancing authoritarianisms, their domestic and international dynamics, advantages and shortcomings. At the end of the course the students will be able to identify and understand general patterns of modern authoritarianism, its strategies, motivations and interests. Moreover, the potential threat to liberal democracy as an alternative political system will be broadly discussed. Empirical examples from Central and Eastern Europe, MENA region and Central Asia will demonstrate the everyday practices of these regimes.
Syllabus
  • Lecture 1: Introductory lecture: scope of the course, organization of the course, requirements
  • Lecture 2: Historical experience with non-democracy. Theoretical and empirical background
  • Lecture 3: Hybrid regimes. What did go wrong with the transformation?
  • Lecture 4: “Modern authoritarianism” as an advancing form of authoritative rule: an introduction
  • Lecture 5: Modern authoritarianism in Central and Eastern Europe: Rise of Russian Influence
  • Lecture 6: Modern authoritarianism in the Arab World: From Arab spring to failed states
  • Lecture 7: Modern authoritarianism and economic order: Business is business no matter what
  • Lecture 8: Modern authoritarianism and media: the power of propaganda and intentional spread of disinformation
  • Lecture 9: Is modern authoritarianism a threat to liberal democracy?
  • Lecture 10: Reading and writing week
  • Lecture 11: Presentation of projects 1 (seminar)
  • Lecture 12: Presentation of projects 2 (seminar)
Assessment methods
In order to finish the course students have to pass written exam (max 30 points), submit final paper (max 20 points) and present a group project in the class (max 10 points). Student needs to get at least 60% of all points to pass the course. Moreover, students are obligated to attend at least 80% of lectures; seminars are mandatory (Presentation of projects 1 & 2).

Written Exam: It will cover both the lectures and the assigned literature. Test will consist of six open questions, five points for each (max 30 points).

Final paper: Each student has to prepare final paper that fits the scope of the course. Topic has to be approved by the lecturer. The length of the paper has to be strictly between 2600 and 2800 words. The paper needs to follow academic standards (formal aspects of the paper and references are not included in the word count) (max 20 points). Deadline for submission is May 18, 2016 (online to the information system of Masaryk University).

Group project: All students have to assign to one of the pre-defined topics and in collaboration with their colleagues prepare 30 minutes presentation for the class.

Final Assessment: maximum 60 points; in order to pass the course it is obligatory to get at least 36 points (60%); scale: A 60-56 points, B 55-51 points, C 50-46 points, D 45-41 points, E 40-36 points, F 35 and less
Language of instruction
Czech
Further comments (probably available only in Czech)
The course is taught annually.
The course is taught: every week.
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