INTR2101 Democracy and Human Rights in Asia

This topic explores the argument about the meaning of democracy and human rights in Asia and what democracy is supposed to achieve, and under what conditions democracy originates and survives. It examines how countries have become democratic in Asia and how democracy has been defined. It compares the human rights and social costs and benefits of democratic political systems in Asia. It analyses the relationship between the rise of an Asian middle class and the rise of democratic institutions.

This topic aims to:

• Describe and analyse various notions of the concepts of democracy and human rights
• Demonstrate familiarity with academic and media print and internet sources on democracy and human rights in Asia
• Analyse the concepts of 'Asian values' and 'Asian style democracy'
• Demonstrate an understanding of the argument about how and why democratisation takes place

1. Analyse the problems associated with sustaining and increasing democracy in rich and poor countries
2. Complete an oral presentation and to write an essay that demonstrates critical thinking about democracyor human rights in an Asian setting
3. Demonstrate your skills in electronic and library research methods