Transitology is a concept and analytical framework applied in political and
social science to analyse and assess political regime change and the
subsequent consolidation process of democratic institutions. It explains the
different pathways how democratic institutions and regimes slowly
consolidate and strengthen over time. Transitology also explains why weak
and corrupted democratic institutions fail and backslide into authoritarian
political practices and, subsequently, autocracies.
Such processes of transition and democratisation have been seen in countries
and societies in Europe after WWII in 1945, during and after the
decolonisation process in Africa and Latin America in the 1960s, and after
the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 in Central and Eastern Europe and
Central Asia. Not all have been successful, as seen in post-soviet Russia or
post-colonial countries such as Nigeria, and post-junta regimes such as
Venezuela.
Regime change and the transition from one regime type and mode of governance
to another do not say much about whether a regime is democratic or whether
the rule of law, human rights, or good governance principles are adhered to.
What consolidates and successfully transforms democratic institutions into
‘stable democracies’ are the pathways of participatory, inclusive, and
trustworthy adherence and compliance with democratic rules and human rights.
In this MOOC, we will ask critical questions: How do countries and political
regimes successfully democratise? And what are the causes of democratic
backsliding? How do democracies die, and how do they recover, if at all?
Together with policymakers, academic researchers, and analysts, we will
explore different forms of government and look at theories explaining
political and societal transitions, transformation, and consolidation of
regimes. We will also present and discuss concrete examples of political
transitions and regime changes in different world regions.
Course Outline
The MOOC runs over 5 weeks and is organised in 3 modules:
Module 1 - Transitology and Waves of Democratisation
Transitology: Why do we want to change a political regime?
Conceptual differences between Democratisation and Democracy, Regime
Change and Regime Consolidation
Conditions and stages of political regime change, transition, and
democratic institutions building
Transitional Justice’s pathways to regime consolidation
Theoretical framework of three ‘Waves of Democratisation’
Module 2 - Modes of Governance and Regime Consolidation
Modes of Governance and Government: authoritarian, anocratic,
democratic- and the in-betweens
Electoral semi-authoritarian regimes and anocracies
Defective and consolidated democracies
Quality of democracy
Module 3 - Backsliding of Democracy and Restoring Deficits
Four stages of democratic consolidation and transformation of political
institutions and civil society
Deconsolidation and backsliding of democratic practices and
institutional performances (cases from v-dem, BTI, Polity V, and IDEA)
Lecturers and Experts
In this MOOC, academic lecturers in the field of Regime/System
Transformation, Quality of Democracy, Elections, and Comparative Politics
have been invited to teach, as well as practitioners, data analysts, and
policymakers from countries that are currently struggling with the
backsliding of democratic institutions and/or are in demanding political
regime change in their countries. The faculty list includes, among others (read all bios here):
Arusyak Aleksanyan
Associate Professor, Yerevan State University
Mozn Hassan
Right Livelihood Laureate 2016, Founder of NAZRA
Damir Kapidžić
Associate Professor, University of Sarajevo
Wolfgang Merkel
Former Director, Social Science Research Centre Berlin
Thomas Millar
Democratic Governance, DG INTPA, European Commission
Leonardo Morlino
Professor Emeritus, LUISS
Jacqueline Moudeina
Right Livelihood Laureate 2011
Pippa Norris
Lecturer, Harvard University, Director of Electoral Integrity Project
Coordinator
The course is coordinated by Dr. Anja Mihr, OSCE Academy in
Bishkek & Center on Governance through Human Rights in Berlin, who is
also the main lecturer in the MOOC.
Anja Mihr
MOOC Scientific Coordinator, OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
Learning Outcomes
In this MOOC you will learn about the different concepts, theories,
normative and organisational frameworks, and setups, as well as historical
and current best practices and case studies. You will also learn how to use
them analytically in your day-to-day fieldwork or for academic research
purposes.
Together with other MOOC participants, you will discuss…
theoretical and conceptual frameworks of transitology, such as the
difference between the transition and transformation of political
regimes
the concept of democratisation and democracy
different regime types: authoritarian, anocracies, and democracies
concepts of change theory and ‘tipping point’
inclusive versus exclusive processes of transition
democratic consolidation as a (slow!) process of attitudinal and
behavioural change of society vis-à-vis political institutions.
You will learn to…
analyse the political process and the difference between institution
building and the transformation/consolidation of institutions
detect and identify patterns and processes of consolidation of
democratic (or autocratic) regimes and backsliding of democratic regimes
name the different stages of consolidation and de-consolidation of
political regimes
outline the differences between electoral democracy and liberal
democracy, between anocracies, authoritarian regimes, and autocracies
recognise the specific role of citizens and civil society and that of
awareness, behaviour, and belief in regimes.
At the end of the course, you will be able to…
assess case studies in countries and societies worldwide and of your
choice
write about and speak on any current political process of regime decline
or strengthening of certain regime types.
F.A.Q.s
+
Enrolment
How do I enrol in the course?
You can start the enrolment process by clicking the "enrol" button.
Is there a selection procedure to participate in the course?
The course is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), which means we do not select participants on any basis. Rather, we welcome anyone who is interested in learning more about the topic to enrol and participate for free.
+
Fees
I would like to know if the course is free or if some parts are to be paid
Our course is a MOOC (Massive Open Online Course), which means all components are open and totally free for anyone.
Do I need to pay any fee to attend the course?
There are no registration or tuition fees. The certificate of participation is also free and offered to all those who successfully complete all the course requirements (see below for details on the certificate).
+
Accessibility
Is the course accessible to persons with disabilities?
We want all participants in our courses to enjoy a great learning experience and we strive to always improve accessibility. Each week of the course includes one or two video lectures with accompanying transcripts and reading materials. The texts are in PDF format, work at low bandwidths, are printable and can be zoomed to the desired size. Some readings may include pages from accessible websites. This makes all of them accessible to those who use assistive technology software such as screen readers. Likewise, weekly discussions and module quizzes can be completed through our platform which is accessible, for example, to people who use speech input, keyboard accessible controls or text to speech tools. For more details please visit EdX Website Accessibility Policy.
+
Structure and content
Is there a schedule for the course or is it self-directed?
The course is self-paced and mostly asynchronous so participants can study
in their own time. However, to enhance peer learning, interactive
participation and self-assessment, weekly topics and discussions as well as
module quizzes are proposed at set dates. In any case, they are all open
until the end of the course to facilitate access and completion at any
preferred time.
+
Certificate of completion
What do I need to do to get the certificate of participation?
At the end of the course, if you have actively participated in all required weekly discussions and successfully completed all quizzes, you will receive a certificate confirming your participation.