POLS 3100: Global Issues: Non-Democratic Politics (Utah State University)
Course Description
Dictatorships, autocracies, authoritarian regimes—they come in many names but all refer to the same form of politics. Today, about half of the world’s population lives under a variety of non-democratic governments. In this course, we investigate the conditions that allow non-democratic governments to rise and persist, the strategies for autocratic leaders to stay in power, the domestic and international factors driving political development, and the consequences of autocratic institutions on economic growth and human development. We will ground these theories in real-world examples such as Mexico, China, North Korea, and South Korea.
You will leave this class with a foundational understanding of non-democratic politics and a deeper perspective on the diverse political dynamics in the world. You will also develop the analytical skills to critically evaluate arguments about democracy and authoritarianism both abroad and at home.
Course Syllabi: Spring 2025, Spring 2024
Dictatorships, autocracies, authoritarian regimes—they come in many names but all refer to the same form of politics. Today, about half of the world’s population lives under a variety of non-democratic governments. In this course, we investigate the conditions that allow non-democratic governments to rise and persist, the strategies for autocratic leaders to stay in power, the domestic and international factors driving political development, and the consequences of autocratic institutions on economic growth and human development. We will ground these theories in real-world examples such as Mexico, China, North Korea, and South Korea.
You will leave this class with a foundational understanding of non-democratic politics and a deeper perspective on the diverse political dynamics in the world. You will also develop the analytical skills to critically evaluate arguments about democracy and authoritarianism both abroad and at home.
Course Syllabi: Spring 2025, Spring 2024