REGRESSION ANALYSIS|CATEGORICAL OUTCOME VARIABLES|PANEL DATA ANALYSIS|MULTILEVEL ANALYSIS|STATA

This module covers more advanced aspects of regression analysis and builds on the Stata skills acquired in Introduction to Regression Analysis (SOCS0053). The...

This module covers more advanced aspects of regression analysis and builds on the Stata skills acquired in Introduction to Regression Analysis (SOCS0053). The module starts by revisiting OLS regression, this time paying more attention to the underlying assumptions, violations of those assumptions, and other issues and technicalities. Subsequently, students are introduced to regression models for categorical dependent variables. In the second part of the module, the focus shifts to modelling techniques that are suitable for more complex data structures, especially multilevel and panel data analysis. 

European Politics|International Relations and Politics|Political Theory|Politics|Social History

The spread of democracy has been one of most consistent and widespread trends in world politics over the last 200 years. The module provides an introduction to...

The spread of democracy has been one of most consistent and widespread trends in world politics over the last 200 years. The module provides an introduction to the study of democracy as a political system distinct from other regimes and the question of democratization: how and why societies become (more) democratic - and how and why democratic progress is sometimes reversed during periods of "autocratisation".

It begins by reviewing models and definitions of democracy and debates how we can measure democracy. It considers successful and unsuccessful experiences of democratization across a range of historical and geographical settings - 19th century and inter-war Europe, post-colonial Africa, Southern Europe in 1970s, post-communist East Europe and 'Arab Spring' -  and how political scientists have explained them.

It then examines factors that enable new democracies to succeed and sustain themselves over the long term. The course concludes by looking the recent rise of 'illiberal democracy' in some states; debates about 'democratic quality' and ‘democratic backsliding’ in established democracies. 