Governments and structures of power exist in relation to civil societies, citizens and non-citizens alike. This course explores how individuals in civil society form groupings to influence political agendas outside formal systems of inclusion (elections, political parties). The course, draws on political contexts from self-professed liberal democracies through to totalitarian regimes to explore the space for and nature of civil dissent and how elites shape the development, aims and activities of civil society groups. People have complex relations with their governments, from adoration or compliance through to forms of disapproval. Disapproval may take active forms from noncompliance to peaceful protests through to violent resistance. The course, will explore key theories and concepts of political participation and examine some of the most important societal movements in the contemporary world. Throughout the course, students will be challenged to think carefully about how human actions and ideas are shaping our world and how others attempt to shape it for them.