NS4225 Civil-Military Relations and Transitions to Democracy

A seminar which reviews selected cases of transitions from authoritarian rule in the post-1945 period. The course compares the various roles played by the military and other actors in these transitions, examines the participation of the military in the consolidation of democracy and the problem of democratic consolidation. Students will also examine different theories and concepts of democratic transition and consolidation.

Prerequisite

NS3025 or permission of instructor

Lecture Hours

Lab Hours

Course Learning Outcomes

At the end of the course, students should be able to:

Identify and analyze (compare and contrast) the various forms of non-democratic regimes and how they shape and perish.
Assess the various forms of transitions to democracy: analyze the roles that various security institutions—including the military—play in democratic transitions.
Analyze and assess the institution-building processes involved in democratic consolidation.
Describe, define, apply, and analyze key concepts of Civil-Military Relations: military praetorianism (including coups and mutinies), coup proofing, military reforms (including post-conflict) i.e., democratic civilian control of the armed forces and military effectiveness: assess the current spectrum of roles and missions of the armed forces (and other security institutions), analyze the decision and planning regarding the military roles and missions, analyze the decision and planning regarding the military organization and structure.