Coursera – Democratic Development with Larry Diamond (Stanford University)

Democratic Development is intended as a broad, introductory survey of the political, social, cultural, economic, institutional, and international factors that foster or obstruct the development, and consolidation, of democracy. Topics will be examined in historical and comparative perspective, and reference a variety of different national experiences. It is hoped that students in developing or prospective democracies will use the theories, ideas, and lessons in the class to help build or improve democracy in their own countries.

This course is primarily intended for individuals in college or beyond, with some academic background or preparation in political science or the social sciences. However, it seeks to be accessible and useful to a diverse international audience, including educators at the secondary and college levels, government officials, development professionals, civil society leaders, journalists, bloggers, activists, and individuals involved in a wide range of activities and professions related to the development and deepening of democracy.

Course Syllabus

Week 1
Introduction to the Course, Why Democracy? What Is Democracy? Regime Types The Third Wave of Democratization and its Ebb
Week 2
Legitimacy, Authority and Effectiveness Democratic Consolidation
Week 3
Political Culture and Democracy Are Democratic Values Universal?
Week 4
Economic Development Class Structure and Inequality Civil Society
Week 5
Democratic Transition: Paths and Drivers Democratic Transition: Types and Means
Week 6
Constitutional Design Presidential vs. Parliamentary Government Parties and Party Systems
Week 7
Electoral Systems Choosing between Different Systems
Week 8
Ethnicity and Ethnic Conflict Managing Ethnic Conflict Federalism
Week 9
Horizontal Accountability and the Rule of Law Controlling Corruption Democratic Breakdowns
Week 10
International Factors Promoting Democracy
Week 11
The Future of Democracy