Did you ever cast a vote, sign a petition, or participate in a protest? If yes, did your voice get heard? If not, do you think it would have made a difference? In this course, we will explore whether citizens' participation in politics matters for the representation of their opinions. Research shows that, around the world, the most privileged citizens – those who are rich, highly educated, and white – participate the most in politics and are the best represented politically. We take a closer look at the extent to which political participation advantages the affluent and leads to unequal representation, as well as how underrepresented minorities can remedy their lack of influence in politics. During the course, we will read cutting-edge empirical research and some classic pieces that have shaped our understanding of democracy, participation, and representation for decades. In each session, we will discuss one research paper in depth and, over the course of the semester, develop techniques for reading and writing empirical research. By the end of this course, you will be equipped with a deeper understanding of participation and representation, two foundational concepts in political science.

Kurs im HIS-LSF