This course aims to study democracy in theory and practice based a comparative approach. It looks into the transition and consolidation processes that began in the late 20th century. Is democracy the 'best' institutional arrangement in modern or post-industrial society? With the collapse of communism in the 90s, has history 'ended'? Are 'Asian values' anathema to Western liberal democratic 'values'? What are the conditions, both domestic and international, that help explain democratic development? What explains the resurgence of authoritarianism? How important is deliberative democracy? In addition to addressing the problems with democratic transition and consolidation, this course examines the concepts of democracy and democratization, deliberative process in making public policy, and their significance and relevance for academics, politicians, activists and citizens.

CILO-1: Identify and evaluate critical issues related to the features of democracy. CILO-2: Identify and evaluate critical issues related to the process of democratization. CILO-3: Identify and discuss critical issues related to deliberative democracy as a concept, a process and an outcome. CILO-4: Identify and explain the critical issues and problems that may impede or strengthen the transition and consolidation of democracy through a democratization process.