DEMOCRACY AND AUTHORITARIANISM. GLOBAL AND EUROPEAN DYNAMICS

Academic Year 2025/2026 - Teacher: IOLE PINA FONTANA

Expected Learning Outcomes

Students will learn about political actors, institutions, and processes across European states, delving into the key features of democratic politics in Europe

Course Structure

Frontal lessons and seminars

Required Prerequisites

Knowledge of the European Union and basic concepts of political science

Attendance of Lessons

required -

Detailed Course Content

By exploring European politics through a comparative perspective, both in theory and methodology, in this second part of the course students will analyze key political actors, institutions, and processes across European states. The course covers the evolution of democratic politics in Europe, focusing on emerging issues, including old and new political cleavages, the role of referenda in European integration, and the complexities of party systems. Students will examine political fragmentation, Euroscepticism and democratic backsliding within EU member states, alongside an exploration of political systems and government formation at both the national and EU levels.

Textbook Information

Vries, Catherine E., D. et al. Foundations of European Politics. Available from: VitalSource Bookshelf, Oxford University Press Academic UK, 2021.

Course Planning

	Subjects	Text References
1	European Politics through comparative lenses: an introduction	De Vries et al. 2021 Foundations of European Politics - A Comparative Approach, chapter 3.
2	Democratic politics in Europe between emerging issues, new and old cleavages	De Vries et al. 2021 Foundations of European Politics - A Comparative Approach, chapters 2 and 4
3	Between politics and polity: Party systems in Europe and the role of referendum in European integration	De Vries et al. 2021 Foundations of European Politics - A Comparative Approach, chapter 6
4	Fragmentation, Eurosceptiscism and democratic blacksliding in the EU Member states (i)	De Vries et al. 2021 Foundations of European Politics - A Comparative Approach, chapters 9 and 14
5	Fragmentation, Eurosceptiscism and democratic blacksliding in the EU Member states (ii)	De Vries et al. 2021 Foundations of European Politics - A Comparative Approach, chapters 9 and 14
6	Political Systems and government formation in Europe	De Vries et al. 2021 Foundations of European Politics - A Comparative Approach, chapter 10
7	Policy cycle and law-making in Europe	De Vries et al. 2021 Foundations of European Politics - A Comparative Approach, chapter 11
8	Students' presentations
9	Students' presentations

Learning Assessment

Learning Assessment Procedures

Assessment Method

Student performance will be evaluated through a combination of continuous assessment and final examinations:

Class Participation
Active involvement in class activities is essential. Assessment will take into account regular attendance, meaningful contributions to discussions, and engagement in group work and laboratory activities.
Group Presentation
Students will work in groups to prepare and deliver a presentation on a selected case study. Evaluation will be based on the quality of research, clarity of presentation, teamwork, and ability to stimulate discussion.
Final Written Test
The written exam will assess students’ knowledge of the course content. It will include both multiple-choice questions (to test factual knowledge) and open-ended questions (to evaluate critical thinking and analytical skills).
Final Oral Exam
The oral exam will allow students to demonstrate their ability to articulate, critically analyze, and discuss the main themes and concepts of the course.

Examples of frequently asked questions and / or exercises

What is democratic backsliding

What are political cleavages

Degree Course in

Global Politics and Euro-Mediterranean Relations