Militant Democracy: Concept, Critique, and Comparative Perspectives

This seminar introduces Political Science and Teaching students to the concept of militant democracy, examining its theoretical foundations, critiques, and comparative applications.

The first section explores the origins of militant democracy, tracing its development from Karl Loewenstein’s seminal 1937 articles to contemporary interpretations by Capoccia, Tyulkina, and Kirchner. It provides a historical and conceptual overview of how democracies can defend themselves against anti-democratic threats.

The second section engages with the debate on democratic legitimacy, analyzing arguments for and against militant democracy. Students will critically discuss whether protective measures strengthen or undermine democratic values and institutions.

The final section offers a comparative perspective, contrasting the German anti-extremism model with the Italian negative republicanism approach, as conceptualized by Niesen. Case studies from both countries will illustrate how democracy protection measures are implemented in practice, followed by a comparative discussion of their effectiveness and implications.

The seminar combines theoretical insights with real-world applications, equipping students with a deeper understanding of how democracies navigate the tension between openness and self-defense.

This course will be taught in English.