As the U.S. strives to establish democracy in Iraq and contemplates its own democratic system in the wake of a series of controversial presidential elections, David Beetham offers new insights into democracy. He looks at real examples such as the role of the citizen and how large corporations affect democracy as well as contemplating the future of democracy in the developed and developing worlds.
One
Introduction: What is Democracy?
Two
Democratic Ideas at Work in Practice
Citizen rights
Institutions of representative and accountable government
The associational life of civil society
Three
Sources of Disillusion in the 'Old' Democracies
Decline in government autonomy
Decline in government capacity
Declining credibility
Four
Success and Setback in the New and Emergent Democracies
Legacies of transition
Problems of consolidating and deepening democracy
State
Nation
Religion
Economy
Five
Globalising Democracy
Democracy promotion
Democratising global institutions
Democracy and the European Union
Six
Reviving Democracy: New Forms of Participation
Participation in government
Co-decision in devolved government
Deliberative opinion polls and citizens' juries
Referenda and citizens' initiatives
Digital democracy
Seven
Conclusion: Getting Active
Glossary of key terms
List of democracy and human rights organisations and websites
