This course focuses on the political development goals of sustainable peace, good governance and stable democracy. Drawing on different theoretical approaches and various empirical examples throughout the degree programme, it asks students to critically assess alternative suggestions for establishing peace and inclusive, durable democracies in developing countries. Key topics include inter alia the possible definitions, arguable causes and consequences of democracy; the political, social and economic effects of different political institutions; and the typically contested origins of violent intrastate conflicts as well as the suggestions that have been made to help overcome them. The course adopts a unique interdisciplinary approach which is grounded in the acknowledgment that it is extremely difficult to meet international development targets in states experiencing endemic political instability, violent civil conflict, gross human rights abuses and acute crises of governance.