Rule of Law and Democracy in Europe from edX

Democracy and the rule of law are two of the fundamental values of the EU that are shared among the EU Member States (MS).

As of late, however, they have come under increasing pressure. Not only does the Union face criticism about its own democratic and rule of law shortcomings, but it also appears to struggle to find effective responses when faced with the erosion of these values in several of its MS.

In this course, an interdisciplinary team of experts will discuss what democracy and the rule of law mean in Europe, how these principles are put into practice, and how they can be defended against backsliding.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research & Innovation programme under Grant Agreement no. 770142.

What you'll learn

Acquire a general understanding of the EU, its fundamental values and its main institutions;
Familiarize yourself with the concepts of democracy and the rule of law, what they mean in a national and in an EU context, how they have evolved over time and which challenges and threats they are currently facing;
Understand which institutions are responsible to promote, uphold, and put democracy and the rule of law into practice and which tools they have at their disposal to effectively prevent or tackle the erosion of these values;
Familiarize yourself with the main challenges for democracy and the rule of law in some of the key EU policy areas, such as trade, migration and public health emergencies (COVID-19).

What's inside

Learning objectives

Acquire a general understanding of the eu, its fundamental values and its main institutions;
Familiarize yourself with the concepts of democracy and the rule of law, what they mean in a national and in an eu context, how they have evolved over time and which challenges and threats they are currently facing;

Understand which institutions are responsible to promote, uphold, and put democracy and the rule of law into practice and which tools they have at their disposal to effectively prevent or tackle the erosion of these values;
Familiarize yourself with the main challenges for democracy and the rule of law in some of the key eu policy areas, such as trade, migration and public health emergencies (covid-19).

Acquire a general understanding of the eu, its fundamental values and its main institutions;
Familiarize yourself with the concepts of democracy and the rule of law, what they mean in a national and in an eu context, how they have evolved over time and which challenges and threats they are currently facing;
Understand which institutions are responsible to promote, uphold, and put democracy and the rule of law into practice and which tools they have at their disposal to effectively prevent or tackle the erosion of these values;
Familiarize yourself with the main challenges for democracy and the rule of law in some of the key eu policy areas, such as trade, migration and public health emergencies (covid-19).

Syllabus

Week 1

Introduction to the European Union, its evolution, institutions and common values.

Week 2

Introduction to the concept and principles of democracy and the challenges democracy faces today.

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Develops understanding of the EU, its values, and institutions

Explores the concept and principles of democracy and its modern challenges

Examines the EU's legal framework and governance mechanisms for upholding rule of law

Taught by experts in the field of European governance and law

Provides practical insights into addressing democratic and rule of law challenges in the EU

Reviews summary

Eu law & democracy insights

Students say this course offers an excellent foundation and a deep dive into the Rule of Law and Democracy in Europe. Learners praise the highly knowledgeable, engaging instructors and well-structured, relevant lectures. While largely positive, a minority desired more practical examples and interactive elements, noting some lectures were too theoretical. Occasional audio quality issues were also mentioned.

Particularly beneficial for legal professionals and those in international relations.

"As a legal professional, I found this course invaluable for a nuanced understanding of rule of law backsliding in various MS."

"Highly recommended for anyone interested in European politics."

"As someone working in international relations, this course significantly enhanced my understanding of EU governance and its challenges."

"This course provided an excellent foundation for understanding the EU's fundamental values."

Offers a thorough and up-to-date understanding of EU values and challenges.

"This course was truly exceptional. The lectures were incredibly well-structured, providing a deep dive into complex topics..."

"A very informative course, especially for understanding the current pressures on democracy in Europe."

"Absolutely brilliant! The course clarified many misconceptions I had about the EU."

"The course material was up-to-date and highly relevant to current events."

The course benefits from highly knowledgeable and engaging interdisciplinary instructors.

"The professors were highly knowledgeable and engaging. I particularly appreciated the interdisciplinary approach."

"The instructors presented a balanced view on controversial topics, which was refreshing."

"The depth of knowledge of the instructors was impressive. A must-take course!"

"The insights from different experts were a highlight, invaluable for my understanding."

A few reviews noted occasional issues with audio quality and visual presentation.

"While the topic is important, I struggled with the presentation style. Some videos had poor audio quality..."

"Disappointing... Audio issues were a problem too."

"The only minor point is that some of the older video material felt a bit dated visually."

Some learners desire more practical examples, while others appreciate the theoretical depth.

"The content was good, but I found some lectures a bit dry and theoretical. I was hoping for more practical examples..."

"The course would benefit from more interactive elements or real-world case studies to make it less theoretical."

"I didn't get a clear picture of the 'tools' the EU has. Expected more practical application."

"For someone with some prior knowledge, it might feel a bit superficial in places."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Rule of Law and Democracy in Europe with these activities:

Review European history

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Complete this activity to strengthen and solidify your knowledge of European historical facts and major events.

Browse courses on European History

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Review your notes from previous history courses or textbooks on European history.
Read articles and books about important historical periods in Europe.
Watch documentaries or historical dramas set in Europe.

Explore the EU's official website and publications

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Familiarize yourself with the primary sources of information about the EU and its activities.

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Visit the Europa website (https://europa.eu/)
Browse different sections of the website to learn about EU institutions, policies, and news
Subscribe to relevant EU publications (e.g., newsletters, reports) to stay up-to-date

Participate in online discussions with other students

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Engages with peers and deepens understanding through discussion and exchange of ideas.

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Join online discussion forums or groups related to the EU
Contribute to discussions by sharing your thoughts, asking questions, and responding to others
Engage in respectful and constructive exchanges of ideas

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Career center

Learners who complete Rule of Law and Democracy in Europe will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Government Lawyer

A Government Lawyer advises the government on legal matters. They help write laws, regulations, and contracts. They also represent the government in court and provide legal advice to government agencies. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Government Lawyer because it provides a foundation in the EU's legal framework and its toolbox to enforce rule of law compliance in the member states.

See salaries and explore the career path for Government Lawyer

Policy Advisor

A Policy Advisor provides advice to government officials on policy issues. They research and analyze policy issues, and develop and recommend policy solutions. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Policy Advisor because it provides a foundation in the EU's fundamental values and its main institutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Advisor

Diplomat

A Diplomat represents their country's interests in foreign countries. They negotiate with foreign governments, promote their country's culture and values, and protect their country's citizens abroad. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Diplomat because it provides a foundation in the EU's evolution, institutions and common values.

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Journalist

A Journalist gathers, analyzes, and reports on news and current events. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or television and radio stations. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Journalist because it provides a foundation in the EU's democracy and rule of law debate.

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Political Scientist

A Political Scientist studies politics and government. They research and analyze political systems, institutions, and processes. They may also teach political science at universities or colleges. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Political Scientist because it provides a foundation in the concepts of democracy and the rule of law.

See salaries and explore the career path for Political Scientist

Lawyer

A Lawyer advises and represents clients in legal matters. They may specialize in a particular area of law, such as criminal law, civil law, or family law. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Lawyer because it provides a foundation in the EU's legal framework and its toolbox to enforce rule of law compliance in the member states.

See salaries and explore the career path for Lawyer

Judge

A Judge presides over court proceedings and makes decisions on legal matters. They may work in a variety of settings, such as criminal courts, civil courts, or family courts. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Judge because it provides a foundation in the EU's legal framework and its toolbox to enforce rule of law compliance in the member states.

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Professor

A Professor teaches and conducts research at a university or college. They may specialize in a particular field of study, such as political science, law, or history. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Professor because it provides a foundation in the concepts of democracy and the rule of law.

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Researcher

A Researcher conducts research in a particular field of study. They may work for universities, colleges, or research institutions. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Researcher because it provides a foundation in the concepts of democracy and the rule of law.

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Activist

An Activist advocates for social or political change. They may work for non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, or political campaigns. This course may be useful for those who want to work as an Activist because it provides a foundation in the EU's democracy and rule of law debate.

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Nonprofit Manager

A Nonprofit Manager oversees the operations of a nonprofit organization. They may be responsible for fundraising, program development, and staff management. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Nonprofit Manager because it provides a foundation in the EU's fundamental values and its main institutions.

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Program Officer

A Program Officer manages and implements programs for a nonprofit organization. They may be responsible for developing and implementing programs, fundraising, and evaluating program outcomes. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Program Officer because it provides a foundation in the EU's democracy and rule of law debate.

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Grant Writer

A Grant Writer writes grant proposals for nonprofit organizations. They may be responsible for researching funding opportunities, writing proposals, and managing grant budgets. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Grant Writer because it provides a foundation in the EU's fundamental values and its main institutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Grant Writer

Political Consultant

A Political Consultant advises political candidates and campaigns on strategy, messaging, and fundraising. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Political Consultant because it provides a foundation in the EU's democracy and rule of law debate.

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Public Relations Specialist

A Public Relations Specialist manages the public image of an organization or individual. They may be responsible for developing and implementing public relations campaigns, writing press releases, and managing media relations. This course may be useful for those who want to work as a Public Relations Specialist because it provides a foundation in the EU's democracy and rule of law debate.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Relations Specialist