Global Democracy and Public Policy
(GOVT 2323/PUBPOL 2320) (Rachel Beatty Riedl, Paul Friesen) (Recurring Spring Semesters)

This course explores trends in democracy around the world as both a product of public policy (which policies support and bolster democratic transitions and endurance), and as a factor that shapes representation, public policy and governance outcomes. How citizen interests translate into public policy outcomes is a key question of democratic practice. The course will identify variation across the world and use empirical analysis to identify patterns. It provides an opportunity to investigate the complex ways that regime politics (whether democratic or autocratic), public policies, and social inequalities shape one another.

Democratic Dialogues and Civic Skill-Building
(Paul Friesen) (PUBPOL 3045/ eCornell) (Recurring)

This course examines how democracy functions in theory and practice across different societies and in our everyday lives. Students begin by exploring various understandings of democracy, from ancient systems to modern liberal democracy, analyzing how countries structure their governments and electoral systems. Students then investigate how psychological biases, social identities, and changing media landscapes shape our understanding of politics and truth, helping them recognize their own political inclinations and develop strategies for navigating today’s complex information environment. Students will then explore what makes communities democratic, how leadership affects group decision-making, and how deliberation and consensus work in community settings. The course also examines global politics and international cooperation, including how nations address shared challenges through international organizations, from economic interdependence to environmental concerns. Through examining real-world examples and practicing democratic deliberation, students will better understand how democracy functions at multiple levels and develop tools to participate effectively in our interconnected world.

Democracy Promotion in U.S. Foreign Policy
(Tom Garrett) (PUBPOL 3450) (Fall 2024)

Promotion and support of democracy is a well-established principle of U.S. foreign policy. However, even four decades after its insertion into Washington’s approach overseas, it is misunderstood and still under challenge, internally within the U.S. Government and from external actors. In this course, the modern origins of democracy support, or promotion, will be examined, beginning with the values-based focus of the Carter Administration’s foreign policy leading into its Cold War use in the Reagan presidency. The development of bipartisan democracy promotion through succeeding Administrations up to the challenges under Donald Trump and the Biden Administration’s response, including the Summit for Democracy process, will be examined. Real-world applications and connections will be central. How democracy assistance is conducted and how it is perceived will be a focus of the course. Course participants will discuss the relationship between democracy promotion and its distinction with human rights and the concept of “democracy prevention” as a response by external actors to democracy promotion.

Towards a Policy of Democratic Unity
(Tom Garrett) (PUBPOL 5680) (Fall 2024)

Democratic leaders are increasingly concerned with authoritarian attempts to alter long-established values and interests of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.  Questions as to the abuse of Interpol against dissidents, the harsh reaction by China to WHO attempts to address the pandemic, and the rejection by Russia of its international obligations bring new policy questions but also solutions to this topic. As the international liberal order framework of the last 75 years shows its age, the question of which nations and value systems will shape the world for the next 75 years becomes more pressing.  Are democracies capable of jointly addressing this challenge. How far do democratic alliances go before national interests take charge? 

In this course, students will draw upon real-life case studies and scenarios through interaction with diplomats, civil society, and other practitioners in this arena. Students in this course will be equipped to shape the debate of a framework of human rights, the rule of law, and democracy for the future and present their ideas through the use of a structured debate as a final project.

Writing in Public Policy: American Soft Power
(Tom Garrett) (PUBPOL 1520) (Fall 2025, Cornell in Washington Campus)

This is a first-year writing course in which a specific component of U.S. foreign policy, the application of Soft Power, defined by political scientist Joseph Nye, Jr. as when a nation presents to the world its ideals, culture or values in an effort to influence or shape goodwill for its policies, will be understood and evaluated through writing in a range of genres appropriate to the field of policy study. Following decades of bipartisan Soft Power policy, momentous change to Soft Power institutions is underway in President Donald Trump’s second term. Assigned readings will consist of journal articles that examine this break in Washington’s foreign policy. In the course’s central work, students will write a series of papers, including essays (four), one vision/mission statement or an op-ed. The objective of this course is evidence-based writing, assessing and evaluating Soft Power today in foreign policy, proposing revisions or alternatives, and expressing specific policy recommendations. Through readings and guest speakers, real-world applications and connections will be emphasized, ensuring that the resultant course writing is not just theoretical but also practical and relevant.