Not open to students who have completed GVPT459D.

Why are democracies weakening around the world today, and what can be done to stop it? This course explores the global decline of democracy, examining the actors, strategies, and forces driving backsliding from within, as well as the countermeasures used to fight it. We will discuss topics such as populism, polarization, misinformation, and the dynamics of elite- versus citizen-driven backsliding, alongside the strategies developed to resist them. Through real-world case studies, you will connect theory with evidence and develop the tools to critically assess democratic resilience and explore ways to strengthen it in a rapidly changing world.