This course discusses the relation between democracy in concept and practice on one hand, and prevailing political culture, identity and history, on the other. Subjects to be dealt with include: the relation between historically constitutive elements of culture and the present political culture; how political culture influences democratic practice; the manner in which democracy itself stands to affect political culture and identity. Special attention will be given to the relation between transition to democracy and processes of liberalization which, in their turn, stand to affect culture, collective, and individual identities. The influence exercised by colonial heritage on culture and identity will also be considered. Arab and Palestinian culture will be kept in view throughout the course.
