Politics

Political Change: The Rise of Anti-politics

Module code: L2083
Level 6
30 credits in autumn semester
Teaching method: Seminar, Lecture
Assessment modes: Coursework, Essay

Recent surveys in democracies show that trust in politicians and political institutions is low. Many citizens believe they have little influence on politics and that politicians don’t listen to them.

What has caused the rise in anti-political feeling? How have political leaders responded to it?

In this module, you’ll:

• explore debates surrounding these questions
• consider the changing relationship between citizens and politicians in modern democracies
• review a range of reforms and innovations designed to revitalise democracy.

Module learning outcomes

• Assess and critically evaluate debates within political science about the prevalence, causes and consequences of anti-politics and political disaffection in contemporary democracies.
• Critically apply various theoretical perspectives to review a range of reforms and innovations currently employed or proposed to revitalise democracy.
• Demonstrate the analytical skills required to carry out independent and original research on the causes and consequences of rising anti-political sentiment.
• Produce written work that critically analyses a topic related to the rise of anti-politics in contemporary democracies that observes appropriate scholarly conventions.