Transitology – Pathways to and from Democracy (GCHumanRights)

Transitology – Pathways to and from Democracy (GCHumanRights)

In this MOOC, academic lecturers in the field of Regime/System Transformation, Quality of Democracy, Elections, and Comparative Politics have been invited to teach, as well as practitioners, data analysts, and policymakers from countries that are currently struggling with the backsliding of democratic institutions and/or are in demanding political regime change in their countries. Registration deadline: 12 March 2023

The MOOC runs over 5 weeks and is organised in 3 modules.
Module 1 - Transitology and Waves of Democratisation
Module 2 - Modes of Governance and Regime Consolidation
Module 3 - Backsliding of Democracy and Restoring Deficits

Course Description:
Regime change and the transition from one regime type and mode of governance to another do not say much about whether a regime is democratic or whether the rule of law, human rights, or good governance principles are adhered to. What consolidates and successfully transforms democratic institutions into ‘stable democracies’ are the pathways of participatory, inclusive, and trustworthy adherence and compliance with democratic rules and human rights.
In this MOOC, we will ask critical questions: How do countries and political regimes successfully democratise? And what are the causes of democratic backsliding? How do democracies die, and how do they recover, if at all? Together with policymakers, academic researchers, and analysts, we will explore different forms of government and look at theories explaining political and societal transitions, transformation, and consolidation of regimes. We will also present and discuss concrete examples of political transitions and regime changes in different world regions.

Registration deadline: 12 March 2023

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

The Holocaust - An Introduction (I): Nazi Germany: Ideology, The Jews and the World (Coursera) Coursera
Tel Aviv University,Yad Vashem

The Holocaust - An Introduction (I): Nazi Germany: Ideology, The Jews and the World (Coursera)

The Holocaust was an inconceivable historical event, which forever robbed Western culture of its innocence. As civilized human beings, we fail to understand how events of such horror could have taken place, and how an idea so inhumanly warped could have spread like wildfire through an entire continent, instigating the systematic annihilation of millions of Jews. This free online course was produced jointly by Tel Aviv University and Yad Vashem – the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. The course tracks the history of the Holocaust and has two parts.

Jun 1st 2026
3 Weeks
Counter Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia (SEA) (GCHumanRights) Global Campus of Human Rights
Global Campus of Human Rights

Counter Human Trafficking in Southeast Asia (SEA) (GCHumanRights)

Human trafficking is often described as the new form of slavery for the 21st century. Despite difficulties in collecting data, recent analyses confirm that it is a serious and ongoing problem in many areas and much still needs to be done to prevent it, protect victims and ultimately eradicate it. In recent years, work has been carried out on the impact of counter trafficking, but more is needed on counter trafficking itself. This online course is going to examine the programmes, practices and activities of counter trafficking by analysing aspects such as raids and rescues, litigation, organising, education. In particular, it will do so by looking at the specific case of South-East Asia (SEA).

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Violence Against Healthcare (Coursera) Coursera
University of Geneva

Violence Against Healthcare (Coursera)

At the global level, there are many countries marked by violence affecting health care. The 'Health care in danger' project aims to establish practical measures and recommendations that can be implemented on the ground by policy-makers, humanitarian organizations and health professionals. In view of the multiplicity of actors and latitudes concerned, it is essential to be able to make available the tools needed to make informed decisions, guide behaviour in high-risk areas and provide everyone the means to create and optimize the dialogue between humanitarian professionals and health on the one hand and relevant authorities or other armed actors.

May 18th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Promoting and Protecting Human Rights: a Global Overview (GCHumanRights) Global Campus of Human Rights
Global Campus of Human Rights

Promoting and Protecting Human Rights: a Global Overview (GCHumanRights)

In times of violence and crisis, human rights are important safeguards. In times of peace, security and development, they are important pillars sustaining our common humanity. They are more than moral or legal concepts: they are the lymph of our lives. For them to run effectively, we need to relentlessly promote and protect them. This course provides you with a solid basis to understand, know and stand up for human rights.

Self Paced
Self-Paced
Citizenship and the Rule of Law (Coursera) Coursera
University of London

Citizenship and the Rule of Law (Coursera)

"Be you so high, the law is above you." This principle, part of the Rule of Law, has come to represent the powerful idea that even politicians and monarchs are bound by the law. However in an age of powerful corporations, international cyber-crime and popular support for authoritarian leaders, the Rule of Law is under threat worldwide.

May 18th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Inequality and Democracy (Coursera) Coursera
Universiteit Utrecht

Inequality and Democracy (Coursera)

Most countries are getting more and more unequal. But the core of democracy is political equality: that everyone should have an equal say in how their country is run. Can we really expect these things to go together? Can people have equal political power while economic inequality grows and grows? Take this course and decide for yourself.

Jun 1st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Bienestar, equidad y derechos humanos (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad de los Andes

Bienestar, equidad y derechos humanos (Coursera)

En la actualidad es muy frecuente escuchar debates en torno a los derechos humanos, la equidad y el bienestar de la población. Muchas personas incluyen estos conceptos en sus conversaciones cotidianas y también son parte de la mayoría de documentos de política pública, programas de gobierno y proyectos de diversas organizaciones. Sin embargo, nuestra experiencia en docencia, investigación, intervención y evaluación nos ha permitido establecer que pocas veces lo que se plantea acerca de estos temas se materializa en acciones concretas que cambien tanto la manera como las personas se relacionan entre sí como la valoración que hacen de la vida que tienen.

May 11th 2026
3 Weeks
Children’s Right to Education in Armed Conflict (GCHumanRights) Global Campus of Human Rights
Global Campus of Human Rights

Children’s Right to Education in Armed Conflict (GCHumanRights)

Wars, armed conflicts, and displacement are not only attacks to spaces, places and people, but also violations of a fundamental human right recognised in numerous international, regional and national instruments. Education is a right in itself and a multiplier of other rights. Legal frameworks, measures and tools already exist that provide a variety of solutions. Alas, proper knowledge of such instruments and possible avenues for action is still limited. The MOOC on Children’s Right to Education in Armed Conflict, offered by the Global Campus in partnership with Right to Education, fills this knowledge gap and mobilises more people and resources in the defence of such a fundamental right when and where it is most needed.

Feb 19th 2024
5-12 Weeks
Artificial Intelligence: Ethics & Societal Challenges (Coursera) Coursera
Lund University

Artificial Intelligence: Ethics & Societal Challenges (Coursera)

Artificial Intelligence: Ethics & Societal Challenges is a four-week course that explores ethical and societal aspects of the increasing use of artificial intelligent technologies (AI). The aim of the course is to raise awareness of ethical and societal aspects of AI and to stimulate reflection and discussion upon implications of the use of AI in society.

Jun 1st 2026
4 Weeks
International Women's Health and Human Rights (Coursera) Coursera
Stanford University

International Women's Health and Human Rights (Coursera)

This course focuses on women’s health and human rights issues from infancy through old age, including information about positive interventions relating to those issues. Learners are encouraged to interact with each other through interactive discussions. It is important to us that this course be available to all learners. We encourage you to apply for Coursera's financial aid (see link to left) if the cost of the course certificate is difficult for you to afford. Please note that you may view all materials in this course, and participate in it, without purchasing a certificate.

Jun 1st 2026
5-12 Weeks
Paradoxes of War (Coursera) Coursera
Princeton University

Paradoxes of War (Coursera)

The Paradoxes of War teaches us to understand that war is not only a normal part of human existence, but is arguably one of the most important factors in making us who we are. Through this course, I hope that you will come to appreciate that war is both a natural expression of common human emotions and interactions and a constitutive part of how we cohere as groups. That is, war is paradoxically an expression of our basest animal nature and the exemplar of our most vaunted and valued civilized virtues.

Jun 1st 2026
13-24 Weeks
Civic Engagement in American Democracy (Coursera) Coursera
Duke University

Civic Engagement in American Democracy (Coursera)

So how does the American political system work? Who are some of the key actors? What are key concepts for a student trying to understand what’s going on? How can I as a citizen influence politics? Civic Engagement in American Democracy takes on these and other key questions. We’re Dr. Nicholas Carnes and Dr. Bruce Jentleson, the principal course instructors. Along with our Duke faculty colleagues who also contributed modules, we’ve designed the course to provide a strong foundational introduction to US politics.

May 18th 2026
4 Weeks