Democracy, State Stability and Public Administration

Can public administration help democracy to work better? To address this question, this seminar explores the role of discretionary authority in the implementation of public policies. We address questions of how administrative discretion is (and is not) consistent with the values of representative democracy. We ask whether domestic public administration is fundamental to state stability, and we explore the ways it is constructed to serve that aim. We also consider the consequences for democracy implied by such a focus on stability and how international organizations confront (or evade) key trade-offs. Our approach is multi-disciplinary, engaging the work of scholars in fields such as political science, philosophy, sociology, and economics. Students will develop a better understanding of what public administration does in modern states, how to think about proposals to reform it, and how it contributes to debates about democratization and democratic backsliding.

Course leader

Tony Bertelli (IBEI-Pennsylvania State University)

Target group

The IBEI Summer School in Global Politics, Development and Security is a program designed for graduate students and all those who have an interest in advanced knowledge of international security, international development and global politics issues. The objective is to offer different short courses on significant topics, taught by scholars and experts of international prestige. The School will enable participants to broadly discuss current developments in world politics in the light of core social-science and IR theories and perspectives. The format will be online or hybrid (face to face and online). Optionally, students may ask for an assessment in order to be able to obtain ECTS credits, provided they are recognized by their university.

Course aim

Can public administration help democracy to work better? To address this question, this seminar explores the role of discretionary authority in the implementation of public policies. We address questions of how administrative discretion is (and is not) consistent with the values of representative democracy. We ask whether domestic public administration is fundamental to state stability, and we explore the ways it is constructed to serve that aim. We also consider the consequences for democracy implied by such a focus on stability and how international organizations confront (or evade) key trade-offs. Our approach is multi-disciplinary, engaging the work of scholars in fields such as political science, philosophy, sociology, and economics. Students will develop a better understanding of what public administration does in modern states, how to think about proposals to reform it, and how it contributes to debates about democratization and democratic backsliding.

Credits info

1 EC
Participants have the opportunity to gain ECTS credits if they are recognized by their universities.

6 hour course: 1 credit = Complete the course + daily assignments / project work

Fee info

EUR 195: Fee for Students. Discount pricing for participants taking more than one course (2 courses 20%; 3 courses 30%; 4 courses 40%).
Early bird discount: an additional 10% discount for full payments received on or before 9 June 2022
EUR 280: Fee for Professionals/Researchers. Discount pricing for participants taking more than one course (2 courses 20%; 3 courses 30%; 4 courses 40%).
Early bird discount: an additional 10% discount for full payments received on or before 9 June 2022

Scholarships

A number of scholarships to cover full or half course fees will be available. In addition to the application requirements, to apply for a scholarship, interested persons must send until 20th May 2022, a letter of interest, CV and a recommendation letter