31407
Seminar
Repressions and political control
Comments
This seminar examines state repression as one of several strategies of political control used to shape public opinion, enforce compliance, and ensure regime stability. Adopting a comparative approach, the course traces the historical emergence, underlying logic, consequences, and long-term legacies of tools such as political violence, indoctrination, and propaganda. We begin by defining core concepts and exploring how states have expanded and deepened their power over time. Next, we analyze the use of political violence, legal authority, surveillance systems, emergency powers, and policing to maintain order and subdue political challenges. We then turn to media control and censorship, education and propaganda as instruments of indoctrination, and the mechanics of political persuasion, with a particular focus on authoritarian contexts. Finally, we investigate how social movements might challenge entrenched authority and examine the interplay between violent repression and societal resistance. To attain a certificate of participation, students have to submit one response paper (at least 1500 words) – individually or in pairs – on a weekly topic. close
16 Class schedule
Regular appointments
Wed, 2025-10-15 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2025-10-22 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2025-10-29 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2025-11-05 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2025-11-12 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2025-11-19 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2025-11-26 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2025-12-03 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2025-12-10 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2025-12-17 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2026-01-07 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2026-01-14 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2026-01-21 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2026-01-28 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2026-02-04 16:00 - 18:00
Wed, 2026-02-11 16:00 - 18:00