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Regular version of the site
Master 2021/2022

Post-Communist Civil Society: Comparative Perspective

Type: Elective course (Comparative Politics of Eurasia)
Area of studies: Political Science
When: 1 year, 3, 4 module
Mode of studies: offline
Open to: students of all HSE University campuses
Instructors: Dmitry V. Goncharov
Master’s programme: Comparative Politics of Eurasia
Language: English
ECTS credits: 6
Contact hours: 48

Course Syllabus

Abstract

This course is designed to provide students with the necessary theoretical and empirical background for the study of the Post-communist civil society. It will cover a broad set of issues including: conceptual discussion of the civil society theories; civil society and democracy, democratisation and development; concept and practices of “illiberal” civil society; the political implications of contemporary social movements; and the evolution of civil space in major segments of the Post-communist world.
Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

  • The purpose of the course is to provide students with the comprehensive knowledge of the conceptual history of the civil society and its development in post-communist states.
  • The purpose of this course is to provide students with better understanding of activities of various non-state and non-market actors and their role in modern pot-communist societies.
Expected Learning Outcomes

Expected Learning Outcomes

  • Demonstrate a good knowledge of the theoretical framework of comparative Civil Society studies and debate on Postcommunist civil society - the assumptions, 'tools' and limitations.
  • Demonstrate how similar processes may work in entirely different social and institutional settings.
  • Gain deep understanding of the civil society concept
  • Understand and contribute to policy making debates, related to the Russian political process and governance.
Course Contents

Course Contents

  • Civil society and modern political transformations in the post-Soviet region
  • Civil Society in former Soviet Block states
Assessment Elements

Assessment Elements

  • non-blocking In-class participation
  • non-blocking Presentations by students
  • non-blocking Essay
  • non-blocking Exam
    The exam is in the written form.
Interim Assessment

Interim Assessment

  • 2021/2022 4th module
    0.25 * Presentations by students + 0.25 * In-class participation + 0.25 * Essay + 0.25 * Exam
Bibliography

Bibliography

Recommended Core Bibliography

  • Beichelt, T. (2014). Civil Society and Democracy Promotion. [Basingstoke]: Palgrave Macmillan. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=786577
  • Edwards, M. (2014). Civil Society (Vol. 3rd ed). Hoboken: Polity. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1102045
  • McFaul, M. (1997). Transition without consolidation. Freedom Review, 28(1), 30. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=f5h&AN=9703216954
  • Mercer, C. (2002). NGOs, civil society and democratization: a critical review of the literature. Progress in Development Studies, 2(1), 5–22. https://doi.org/10.1191/1464993402ps027ra

Recommended Additional Bibliography

  • Boeri, T., Mishra, P., Papageorgiou, C., & Spilimbergo, A. (2018). Populism and Civil Society. [N.p.]: INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1949177
  • Tilly, C., & Tarrow, S. G. (2015). Contentious Politics (Vol. Second edition, fully revised and updated). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsebk&AN=1046483
  • Transactional activism without transactions: network perspective on anti-corruption activism in the Czech Republic. (2017). Social Movement Studies, 17, 203–218. https://doi.org/10.1080/14742837.2017.1404904
  • Ziegler, C. E. (2016). Great powers, civil society and authoritarian diffusion in Central Asia. Central Asian Survey, 35(4), 549–569. https://doi.org/10.1080/02634937.2016.1228608

Authors

  • GONCHAROV DMITRIY VLADIMIROVICH