Through engagement with foundational texts and contemporary scholarship, as well as in-depth analysis of historical and contemporary cases, students will develop a comparative understanding of democratic and authoritarian governance. The overarching goal of the seminar is to bridge theory and practice by using theoretical frameworks to analyze real-world political trajectories, democratic resilience, democratic backsliding, and authoritarian adaptation in the twenty-first century.
5 units · Letter or Credit/No Credit
Through engagement with foundational texts and contemporary scholarship, as well as in-depth analysis of historical and contemporary cases, students will develop a comparative understanding of democratic and authoritarian governance. The overarching goal of the seminar is to bridge theory and practice by using theoretical frameworks to analyze real-world political trajectories, democratic resilience, democratic backsliding, and authoritarian adaptation in the twenty-first century.
Offered in Spring 2027 at Stanford University.