In this updated and expanded edition of his classic text, Arend Lijphart offers a broader and deeper analysis of worldwide democratic institutions than ever before.

Examining thirty-six democracies during the period from 1945 to 2010, Lijphart arrives at important—and unexpected—conclusions about what type of democracy works best.

Praise for the previous edition:

"Magnificent. . . . The best-researched book on democracy in the world today."—Malcolm Mackerras, American Review of Politics

"I can't think of another scholar as well qualified as Lijphart to write a book of this kind. He has an amazing grasp of the relevant literature, and he's compiled an unmatched collection of data."—Robert A. Dahl, Yale University

"This sound comparative research . . . will continue to be a standard in graduate and undergraduate courses in comparative politics."—Choice