PS&I: Contesting Authoritarianism (L2088)
Political Systems and Issues: Contesting Authoritarianism
Module L2088
Module details for 2025/26.
15 credits
FHEQ Level 5
Module Outline
vWe live in an age of growing autocracy, but in particular, growing electoral autocracy, in which multiparty elections live alongside autocratic practices. In such regimes, partisan struggles to win elections are often simultaneously struggles over the viability of the regime itself. This module is about such partisan contestation in such regimes. In it, you will explore how parties organise, communicate, and compete in such contexts, but also how regimes repress and opposition movements protest simultaneously. You will analyse both primary and secondary sources. You will do so by exploring instances of electoral autocracy in Africa and around the world.
Module learning outcomes
Conceptualise the key actors, activities, circumstances and dynamics of electoral-autocratic contestation
Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of strategies of electoral-autocratic contestation
Critically evaluate theories of electoral-autocratic contestation
Effectively formulate, organise and communicate arguments
| Type | Timing | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Essay (3500 words) | Semester 2 Assessment Week 2 Tue 16:00 | 100.00% |
Timing
Submission deadlines may vary for different types of assignment/groups of students.
Weighting
Coursework components (if listed) total 100% of the overall coursework weighting value.
| Term | Method | Duration | Week pattern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Lecture | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
| Spring Semester | Seminar | 1 hour | 11111111111 |
How to read the week pattern
The numbers indicate the weeks of the term and how many events take place each week.
Dr Daniel Paget
Assess convenor, Convenor
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