The dramatic expansion of democracy worldwide is perhaps the single greatest and most unexpected political phenomena in human history. In 1800, only a handful of countries could claim to have even minimally representative government, while today the majority of the people of the world live in countries classified as free and democratic. Despite these successes, democracy around the world is imperiled by a broad array of social and political forces including the rise of social media and AI, the increasing allure of populism, and the emergence of new authoritarian tactics of electoral manipulation. This course examines the normative foundations of democracy, the factors that contribute to the emergence and healthy survival of democratic politics, and the new challenges faced by those who seek to promote and protect democratic governments.

This course will be led by Dr. Jason Jordan, a faculty member in Lee College’s Department of Behavioral & Social Sciences.