What is democracy?

Under what conditions does it thrive? What are the consequences of democracy?

This book aims to answer these questions and more by exploring different varieties of democracies around the world. It starts with definitions of democracy and then divides the concept into three dimensions, which provide a framework for the study of democracy in all its forms. These dimensions form the three main sections of the book:

• constitutional democracy which explores political rights
• participatory democracy which focuses on participation of citizens
• egalitarian democracy which examines outcomes of democracy in terms of equality.

Democracy concludes by surveying the findings of this empirical study and a discussion on the meanings and consequences of democracy in a globalizing world.