Today's world is grappling with major challenges, and democracy is under siege in many countries. This global wave of "autocratization" has profound implications for international organizations and NGOs, making it essential for future leaders to understand how democracy works—and why it sometimes falters. This new course unpacks the conflicts of interest inherent in democratic systems and explores the factors that can weaken checks and balances. A key focus is on how democracy and autocracy shape economic development, social outcomes, peace, and sustainability in fundamentally different ways. Crucially, we also examine concrete, evidence-based solutions to counter rising populism. Beyond sharpening your academic skills for a strong Master’s thesis, this course equips you with highly sought-after expertise that will set you apart in today’s competitive job market.