GOVT395 - Democratic Theory

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Academic Year 2005/2006

Democratic Theory
GOVT 395 FA

Although democracy has become the only legitimate form of government for most of the world, its meaning is sharply contested and many are skeptical that its promise can be realized. What are the conditions necessary for, in Lincoln's words, "government of the people by the people for the people"? Can these conditions be realized today, given the large numbers of people in a modern polity, the complexity of the issues that must be decided, the enormous concentrations of economic and other forms of power, the growing prevalence of cultural and religious diversity, and the increasing importance of international and global forces? The seminar will examine these questions, with a special focus on the work of John Rawls.

MAJOR READINGS

Note: the following list is tentative.

John Rawls, POLITICAL LIBERALISM
Robert Dahl, DEMOCRACY AND ITS CRITICS
Gutmann and Thompson, DEMOCRACY AND DISAGREEMENT
Seyla Benhabib, ed., DEMOCRACY AND DIFFERENCE
Thomas Christiano, ed., PHILOSOPHY AND DEMOCRACY
Andrew Sabl, RULING PASSIONS
Danilo Zolo, DEMOCRACY AND COMPLEXITY
William Kymlicka, MULTICULTURAL CITIZENSHIP
Ann Phillips, ENGENDERING DEMOCRACY

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

Several short or reaction papers; class presentation; term paper

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

This is an advanced course in political theory; students should have a background in political theory or political and social philosophy, but a strong grounding in comparative or American politics may suffice.

Readings will be assigned for the first class meeting on September 6. Students who enroll in the class should e-mail the instructor (dmoon@wesleyan.edu) for the assignment.

COURSE FORMAT: Seminar

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD Credit: 1 Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS GOVT Grading Mode: Student Option

Prerequisites: NONE

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Moon,J. Donald

Times: ..T.... 01:10PM-04:00PM; Location: PAC413;

Reserved Seats: (Total Limit: 13)

SR. major: 6 Jr. major: 4

SR. non-major: 2 Jr. non-major: 1 SO: X FR: X

Special Attributes:

Curricular Renewal: Ethical Reasoning, Writing

Links to Web Resources For This Course.

Last Updated on MAR-30-2006