Democracy and Representation (MSc)
Does democracy still work? How does political representation function in times of fragmentation, populism and polarization? You will study the challenges that established and new democracies face.
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Sharpen your critical thinking and analytical skills
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Watch the video on the original website orAddress the challenges to liberal democracies
Almost everywhere politicians and political parties are facing an increasingly indifferent and even hostile electorate. The political landscape is increasingly fragmented and polarized. Liberal democratic institutions are challenged by populists and some countries are facing democratic backsliding.
In this specialisation, you will explore the causes of these developments and potential solutions. Does money rather than ideology determine which party or candidate wins elections? Do parties in parliaments reflect the diversity of today’s societies sufficiently? What is the role of the media in election campaigns? Are elections still free and fair in times of large-scale gerrymandering and voter suppression in one of the world’s oldest democracies? Perhaps most importantly, you will address the impact of the current state of parties and parliaments on democratic accountability and political legitimacy.
Study in one of the best departments in Europe
You will study in one of the most highly ranked departments of its kind in Europe. Your lecturers are scholars from many countries with expertise in various areas of political science, including comparative politics, political psychology, and political theory.
‘A great place to study’
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Watch the video on the original website orDo a second master’s at Johns Hopkins University in Bologna
This Political Science master’s specialisation has a ‘dual masters arrangement’ with Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Bologna, Italy. This allows you to earn a second degree, if you graduate from this specialisation and satisfy SAIS’s admission criteria. Then you can spend your first or second year in SAIS’ Master of Arts in International Affairs (MAIA) and may be given a full year’s credit towards this two-year research-oriented programme.
Students must apply for both programmes separately and satisfy each programme’s entry and financial requirements. A joint-thesis option is available for students enrolled in both programs. Please consult SAIS’s admissions information or contact their admissions department. For information about the admission requirements of our programme, see the ‘Admission and application’ section on this site.
