POLS1301 - School of Political Science and International Studies ...

WEEK 7 DEMOCRACY 10 -13 APRIL
Key Terms:
Sovereignty of the people, recognition, representation, participation.
Questions for Discussion:
1. What is involved in the idea that ‘the people’ should rule themselves? Who are ‘the people’ and, if
they are to rule, what does that require of political institutions?
2. What conditions are conducive to democratic participation? Do differences of wealth, culture and
gender undermine the possibilities of democracy?
3. What are the causes of political apathy in society today? Is cynicism about politics necessarily an
unhealthy democratic phenomenon?
Required Reading
Heywood, Andrew. 2003. Political Ideologies. An Introduction, 3rd ed. London: Macmillan. pp.319-326.
AND at least one of the following from the Course Reader:
Dunn, John. 1993. Western Political Theory in the Face of the Future. Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press. ‘Democratic Theory’.
Nasr, Vali. 2005. ‘The Rise of “Muslim Democracy’. Journal of Democracy 16(2): 13-20.
Pateman, Carole. 1989. The Disorder of Women. Cambridge: Polity Press. ‘Feminism and Democracy’,
pp. 210-225.
Sen, Amartya. 1999. ‘Democracy as a Universal Value’. Journal of Democracy 10(3): 3-17. (Not in
Course Reader but available on-line via UQ library).
MID-SEMESTER BREAK - NO CLASSES
17 – 22 APRIL
WEEK 8 NEO-LIBEALISM AND THE NEW RIGHT 24 – 28 APRIL
Questions for Discussion:
1. Why is it said that Neo-Liberalism is a revival of Classical Liberalism? In what ways are
they alike? What are the differences?
2. In your view, what are the strengths of neo-liberalism? Does it have any detrimental
effects in Australia or in the world at large?
3. On what grounds do social liberals and social democrats criticise neo-liberalism?
4. The alliance of neo-liberals and conservatives is often called ‘The New Right’. Where do
you see this in Australia – or in the world – today?
POLS1301 Modern Political Ideologies
Course Profile
Semester One - 2006 Page # 21