Course syllabus Authoritarianism – theory, ideology, politics
Swedish name: Auktoritarism – teori, ideologi, politik
Course code:
2SS096
Valid from semester:
Spring Term 2026
Education cycle:
Second cycle
Scope:
7.5 credits
Progression:
A1N
Grading scale:
Three-grade scale
Main field of study:
Political Science
Department:
Department of Political Science
Subject:
Political Science
Language of instruction:
The teaching is conducted in English.
Decided by:
Forsknings och utbildningsnämndens kursplaneutskott (KUS)
Decision date:
2025-08-29
Entry requirements
180 credits of which 90 credits must have been obtained in subjects in the social sciences or the humanities. English proficiency equivalent to English B or English 6 is also required.
Course content and structure
The course aims to enable the student to deepen their knowledge of authoritarianism with a focus its theoretical, ideological and political aspects. After the end of the Cold War, the number of authoritarian states in the world decreased, but this trend has recently been broken, and more and more states are moving in an authoritarian direction. This change applies to both poor and rich countries globally. Authoritarian political ideas are of course not new and in Europe are primarily associated with dictatorships and with fascism and Nazism. Another aspect concerns the relationship between authoritarianism and totalitarianism. Authoritarian states can take many forms, from strong personality cults to regimes characterized by political elites. They also vary regarding ideology and many other characteristics. The course focuses on what authoritarianism means today, in practical politics and ideologically, how it relates to democracy, and what implications it has for both domestic and foreign and security policy.
The course revolves around four themes:
The course includes both lecture and seminar elements. In the mandatory seminars, the student is given the opportunity to orally develop and discuss their independent analysis of the course literature.
The course revolves around four themes:
- authoritarianism as a political theory and ideology
- authoritarianism and democracy
- authoritarianism in Europe
- authoritarianism and international politics.
Type of instruction
The course includes both lecture and seminar elements. In the mandatory seminars, the student is given the opportunity to orally develop and discuss their independent analysis of the course literature.
Objectives
Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:
Knowledge and understanding
Competence and skills
Judgement and approach
Knowledge and understanding
- critically account for the concept of authoritarianism in relation to both historical and contemporary political theory and practice
Competence and skills
- analyse the concept of authoritarianism in relation to democracy and when it comes to relations between states
Judgement and approach
- critically reason about the theoretical and ethical implications of authoritarian states and regimes.
Examination formats
Assessment is through an on-campus written exam, as well as active participation in mandatory seminars.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order to achieve a passing grade on the course. Supplementary assignments must be completed no later than three working days after the notification of any supplementary assignment, unless there are special reasons approved by the examiner.
The student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG). Grading criteria are provided at the start of the course.
To obtain the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) in the course, the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and obtain a grade of Pass with Distinction for the on-campus written examination.
To obtain the grade Pass (G) in the course, the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and obtain a grade of Pass for the on-campus written examination.
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
The examiner may decide to request supplementary assignments in order to achieve a passing grade on the course. Supplementary assignments must be completed no later than three working days after the notification of any supplementary assignment, unless there are special reasons approved by the examiner.
Grading
The student is graded on a three-point grading scale: Fail (U), Pass (G), Pass with distinction (VG). Grading criteria are provided at the start of the course.
To obtain the grade Pass with Distinction (VG) in the course, the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and obtain a grade of Pass with Distinction for the on-campus written examination.
To obtain the grade Pass (G) in the course, the student must actively participate in the mandatory seminars and obtain a grade of Pass for the on-campus written examination.
Restrictions in Number of Examinations
There is no limit on the total number of examination opportunities.
Transitional provisions
When the course is no longer offered or when the course content has changed substantially, the student has the right to be examined once per semester during a three-term period in accordance with this syllabus.
Other regulations
- The course cannot be included in a degree with another course whose content fully or partially corresponds to the content of this course.
- If the Swedish Defence University has formally decided that the student is entitled to receive special educational support due to a disability, the examiner may decide on alternative forms of examination for the student.
- The course director will conduct an evaluation on the completion of the course, which will form the basis for any changes to the course.