260012 Why Democracy? (S) (WiSe 2026/2027)
Contents, comment
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It is widely assumed that voting-based democracy is the uniquely just form of government. But it is not entirely obvious why. After all, democracy has flaws. Democracy leaves voting power in the hands of citizens, who arguably lack the expertise to make informed voting decisions. And it seems to force the dissenting minority to be ruled by the majority. This course will explore justifications and criticisms of democracy, as well as possible alternatives like lottocracy and epistocracy.
Requirements for participation, required level
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Abschluss des ersten Studienjahres (beide Grundkurse, Philosophischer Einstieg und Philosophisches Schreiben).
Teaching staff
Dates ( Calendar view )
| Frequency | Weekday | Time | Format / Place | Period | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| weekly | Di | 12-14 | 12.10.2026-05.02.2027 |
Subject assignments
The binding module descriptions contain further information, including specifications on the "types of assignments" students need to complete. In cases where a module description mentions more than one kind of assignment, the respective member of the teaching staff will decide which task(s) they assign the students.
Voraussetzung für die Vergabe von 3 Leistungspunkten ist das Erbringen des schriftlichen oder mündlichen Beitrags im Umfang von maximal 1200 Wörtern bzw. 10-20 Minuten. Die genauen Anforderungen werden zu Veranstaltungsbeginn bekannt gegeben.
Es besteht die Möglichkeit, im Anschluss an dieses Seminar eine Prüfung zum Abschluss eines Moduls zu erbringen. Für alle Prüfungen in Philosophie gilt, dass sie das Befolgen der Regeln guter wissenschaftlicher Praxis voraussetzen, wozu u.a. der angemessene Umgang mit philosophischer Literatur und das Beachten der in der Eigenständigkeitserklärung formulierten Anforderungen gehört: https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/philosophie/studium/pruefungsamt/Eigenstandigkeitserklarung.pdf.
Für Hausarbeiten in Philosophie gelten außerdem die folgenden Bewertungskriterien: https://www.uni-bielefeld.de/fakultaeten/philosophie/studium/angebote-hilfsmittel/hilfsmittel/2026-05-Anderung-nach-AKo-in-Vorlage.pdf
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- Notes:
- Additional notes on the electronic mailing lists
- Last update basic details/teaching staff:
- Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Last update times:
- Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Last update rooms:
- Thursday, June 18, 2026
- Type(s) / SWS (hours per week per semester)
- seminar (S) /
- Language
- This lecture is taught in english
- Department
- Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology / Department of Philosophy
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