PLSC 180CNew Authoritarianism

Catalog

In this Source Project course, we seek to understand the movements and leaders behind the global resurgence of authoritarianism, drawing on perspectives from political science and political philosophy, psychology and sociology, history and journalism, art and literature. How do today's authoritarians rise to power? What tactics do they use to solidify control and suppress opposition? What leads ordinary people to support authoritarian movements? What strategies can be used to resist authoritarianism and defend democracy? What are the implications of authoritarianism for global issues such as immigration and the climate crisis? Can the history of dictatorships and totalitarian regimes provide us with any insight into the workings of authoritarianism today? Our course materials range from the classics of the twentieth century to the cutting edge of contemporary research, as we reckon with the rise of authoritarianism in America and the world. For Source Project students only.