Teacher(s)
Language
French
Content
The course traces the evolution of democratic models in the West and focuses on the balance between representation, participation and deliberation. It presents the liberal and egalitarian models, the principle of distinction and the reasons for the triumph of elections, in order to lay the foundations for theories of democracy. It then compares elections and random selection throughout history and their contemporary uses. The course examines the debates surrounding a ‘crisis’ in contemporary representative democracy, whilst arguing that this is less a crisis of democracy than a deficit in the representativeness of elected representatives and those in government. It addresses the issue of descriptive representation and quota policies. An empirical focus is placed on Belgium: the expansion of the electorate, compulsory voting and the frequency of elections; as well as certain participatory and deliberative instruments (mini-publics, G1000, the Permanent Citizens’ Dialogue in the German-speaking Community, and mixed deliberative committees in Brussels). In this course module, democratic innovations and transformations are studied in terms of both their normative and conceptual dimensions and their empirical and practical dimensions.
Teaching methods
Lecture and student participation.
Evaluation methods
Oral examination.
The possession and/or use of any connected device or electronic device not expressly authorised (including, but not limited to, mobile phones, smart glasses, smartwatches, earphones, etc.) is prohibited throughout the examination, even if the device is switched off or not in use. Any breach of this rule, whether intentional or not, will be reported as a suspected irregularity and will be dealt with in accordance with the procedure set out in Articles 107 to 113 of the General Regulations on Studies and Assessments (RGEE). If the examination board deems this to constitute an irregularity, it may result in a mark of 0/20 being awarded, without prejudice to any other sanctions provided for in the RGEE.
The possession and/or use of any connected device or electronic device not expressly authorised (including, but not limited to, mobile phones, smart glasses, smartwatches, earphones, etc.) is prohibited throughout the examination, even if the device is switched off or not in use. Any breach of this rule, whether intentional or not, will be reported as a suspected irregularity and will be dealt with in accordance with the procedure set out in Articles 107 to 113 of the General Regulations on Studies and Assessments (RGEE). If the examination board deems this to constitute an irregularity, it may result in a mark of 0/20 being awarded, without prejudice to any other sanctions provided for in the RGEE.
Bibliography
Les références ci-dessous sont conseillées. Des lectures obligatoires sont par ailleurs renseignées dans le cadre des séances.
Held D. (2016) Models of Democracy, Stanford University Press.
Manin Bernard (2025) Principes du gouvernement représentatif, Paris, Flammarion, coll. « Champs essais ».
Schiffino Nathalie et al. (2019) Les gouvernants face aux transformations de la démocratie, Gouvernement et action publique, 8(2): 57-80.
Gherghina Sergiu, Pilet Jean-Benoit & Suiter Jane (2025) Practices of Democracy: An Introduction, SAGE.
Held D. (2016) Models of Democracy, Stanford University Press.
Manin Bernard (2025) Principes du gouvernement représentatif, Paris, Flammarion, coll. « Champs essais ».
Schiffino Nathalie et al. (2019) Les gouvernants face aux transformations de la démocratie, Gouvernement et action publique, 8(2): 57-80.
Gherghina Sergiu, Pilet Jean-Benoit & Suiter Jane (2025) Practices of Democracy: An Introduction, SAGE.
Faculty or entity
