The Modern State: Structure, Democracy & Security

Department

Bachelor's program Entrepreneurship, Tourism & Leisure Business

Course unit code

IEL-B-3+5-WPM-IEL

Number of ECTS credits allocated

5.0

Name of lecturer(s)

FH-Prof. Dr. Kerschbaumer Lukas, Hofrat Steger-Künz Franz, BA MSc

Mode of delivery

blended learning

Recommended optional program components

none

Additional information about examination modalities

Short Written Assignments (4x)
Written Paper / Report

Level of course unit

Bachelor

Year of study

Fall 2026

Semester when the course unit is delivered

5

Language of instruction

English

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Upon completion of this elective course, students will be able
- analyze how modern states build legitimacy and organize authority across institutions and levels of governance
- evaluate how democratic designs shape representation, inclusion and accountability
- explain how public problems become policy, assess decision-making and implementation dynamics
- assess how economic, welfare, climate, and digital transitions reshape state capacities
- apply critical thinking to security challenges, balancing effectiveness with proportionality and privacy
- interpret EUs influence on national policy via shared competences, rules, and participation

Course contents

1. Foundations of the Modern State: Legitimacy, Institutions, and Multilevel Authority
2. Democratic Systems and Representation: Elections, Parties, Inclusion, and Accountability
3. Policymaking in Practice: Agenda-Setting, Coordination, Legislation, and Implementation
4. The State Today and Tomorrow: Welfare, Economy, Sustainability, and Digital Governance
5. Security in the Modern State: Prevention, Radicalization Dynamics, and Rule-of-Law Safeguards
6. The EU and the Modern State: Shared Competences, Everyday Impacts, and Future Challenges

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course comprises an interactive mix of lectures, discussions and individual and group work.

Work placement(s)

none