GV313-6-AU-CO:
Authoritarianism
2019/20
Government
Colchester Campus
Autumn
Undergraduate: Level 6
Current
Thursday 03 October 2019
Saturday 14 December 2019
15
14 May 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.
The module is organized along weekly one-hour lectures, and weekly one-hour classes. I expect
students to have read the set readings for a specific week before coming to lecture and class, and
that they are prepared to discuss the weekly readings.
- Lambsdorff, Johann. (2008) The institutional economics of corruption and reform: theory, evidence, and policy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Svolik, Milan W. (2012) The politics of authoritarian rule, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. vol. Cambridge studies in comparative politics
- Johnston, Michael. (2005) Syndromes of corruption: wealth, power, and democracy, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Gandhi, Jennifer. (2008) Political institutions under dictatorship, New York: Cambridge University Press.
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 |
Essay |
|
50% |
| Written Exam |
Test |
|
50% |
Additional coursework information
1. One Online Test (50%): This is a multiple-choice test. The questions will be based on all pre-recorded lectures, interactive lectures , and any additional reading materials for the term.
2. One Essay (50%): Students will submit a 2,000 essay (excluding references). Being a research assignment, you are expected to reference additional, outside studies. How- ever, your work must include information from the material covered in the module and reflect an understanding of the required readings.
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 Marius Radean, email: mradean@essex.ac.uk.
Dr Marius Radean
Dr Marius Radean: mradean@essex.ac.uk
Module Administrator: Sallyann West, govquery@essex.ac.uk
Yes
Yes
No
Dr Arzu Kibris
University of Warwick
Associate Professor
Available via Moodle
Of 50 hours, 0 (0%) hours available to students:
1 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
49 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s).
Government
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