Students analyze the major theoretical issues and substantive developments surrounding the global spread of democracy. The central foci include the following topics: theories and case studies concerning "paths" of democratic transition including roles of specific class and state actors, historical patterns and cycles of democracy, theories and issues of "Democratic Peace," and issues and dilemmas concerning the "quality" of contemporary democracies. Not open for credit to students who have earned credit for POLS 420. Not open to new first-year students.