The objective of this course is to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the intellectual evolution of democracy from antiquity to the present, various democratic theories, and the institutional mechanisms that facilitate their implementation. Throughout the semester, models of liberal, social, participatory, deliberative, and radical democracy will be examined through a critical approach. In addition, the institutional structures that correspond to these theoretical debates in the practical world—such as constitutional systems, governmental models, electoral systems, and party systems—will be analyzed. The ultimate goal is to equip students with the analytical skills necessary to evaluate contemporary democratic systems, institutions, and challenges like modern populism from both normative and empirical perspectives.

The Theories of Democracy course examines the conceptual framework, historical development, and institutional design of democracy from a theoretical perspective. The course initially focuses on foundational models such as Athenian democracy, the republican tradition, liberal and social democracy, along with their Marxist critiques. Moving forward, alternative theories designed to address the crises of modern representation—namely participatory, deliberative (Habermas), and radical (Mouffe/Laclau) democracy—will be discussed. In the second half of the semester, the institutional pillars of democracy, including the rule of law, constitutions, government systems (presidential, parliamentary, semi-presidential), political parties, and electoral systems, will be analyzed empirically. The course concludes with debates on the global crises of democracy, illiberal democracy, and populism.