Digitalisation and Politics
Full course description
Students in this course ask how digitalisation affects politics and if digitalisation enhances or undermines the quality of democracy. The course draws on political philosophy, comparative politics, and political economy. You will learn to analyse the new possibilities and constraints that digitalisation presents for politicians, citizens and corporations in terms of political power, participation, equality and inclusivity.
Course objectives
You will learn how digitalisation affects politics and, in particular, whether digitalisation is enhancing or undermining the quality of democracy. After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding about the effects of digitalisation on key political institutions and practices;
- Analyse the relationship between digital developments and transformations in political behaviour, political participation and public control over the public domain;
- Formulate arguments in favour and against the effects of digitalisation on democracy;
- Evaluate ethical and societal consequences of digitalisation in politics for different people and (economic) groups in society.
- Write well-structured paragraphs and develop a simple argumentation.
Prerequisites
none/not applicable
Recommended reading
Sunstein, C. R. (2018). # Republic: Divided democracy in the age of social media. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.