Resource person: Pam Petrie

Description:

Over the past two decades, many countries around the world have experienced a decline in democratic practices and institutions, a trend often described as "democratic backsliding". At the same time, we have seen the rise of populist movements, growing nationalism, and increasing challenges to democratic norms. This course explores two fundamental questions: What is democracy, and has there ever been a perfect democracy? While these questions may seem straightforward, scholars and citizens alike continue to debate how democracy should be defined and measured.

Together, we will examine the evolution of democratic systems, explore different models of democracy, and investigate the concept of democratic backsliding. Drawing on contemporary examples, we will consider how democratic institutions and civil society can respond to democratic backsliding. Through lively discussion and critical reflection, participants will explore questions such as:

Is there a gap between the ideals of democracy and how democracy functions in practice?
Is Canada immune to the democratic backsliding seen in other parts of the world?
What can citizens, governments, and institutions do to strengthen and protect democratic values?
*No prior background in political science is required, just an interest in understanding one of the most important issues shaping our world today.

Instructor: Reeta Tremblay is former Provost and Vice President Academic at the University of Victoria and is currently Professor Emerita of Political Science. She holds a PhD from the University of Chicago and an MPhil degree from Jawaharlal Lal Nehru University, New Delhi. Before coming to Victoria, she held other senior administrative positions including Vice President Academic and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Pro Tem) at Memorial University in Newfoundland; Dean of the Faculty of Arts at Memorial; and Chair, Department of Political Science at Concordia University, Montreal. She is the former President of the Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA), and the Canadian Asian Studies Association (CASA). Her major areas of research are secessionist movements in India, comparative federalism and politics of resistance. She has authored or co-authored several books and essays. Her work is widely reviewed and cited- in particular, her writings on Kashmir and India-Pakistan relations, a subject on which she is widely considered the leading North American expert. Some of her recent publications include: "Unpacking the Equity Myth: Diversity and Leadership Deficit” (2024); “Religion and Politics in Jammu and Kashmir" (2020); "India: Federalism, Nationalism, and the Marginalized – Covid India" (2020); Kashmir Elections: A Precursor to 'No More Two Flags, Two Constitutions" (2019); "Contested Governance, Competing Nationalisms, and Disenchanted Publics: Kashmir beyond Intractability?" (2018); Modi’s Foreign Policy"(2017). She has been also recognized for excellence in undergraduate and graduate teaching by Concordia Alumni association. She is widely sought by Canadian and global media on the issues of Kashmir, India-Pakistan and India-Canada relations.

Mandatory membership(s):

• Volunteer Membership 2026-27
• Life Membership
• Individual Membership 2026-27

Available spots: 25 out of 25

Price: $66.00 Taxes not included

Notes: Other short articles and videos- links would be provided in the course outline.

Prerequisites: Required Reading: "Bermeo, N. 2016. On Democratic Backsliding. I Journal of Democracy, 5-19. Johns Hopkins University Press: Baltimore, Maryland. Vol: 27, no. 1. https://www.ucg.ac.me/skladiste/blog_607795/objava_206974/fajlovi/On%20Democratic%20Backsliding.pdf

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