Democracy in Practice

This textbook provides students with a detailed look at many different aspects of democracy in practice. It is unique in clearly describing and analysing all three existing models of democracy: participatory democracy; referenda and initiatives; and representative or liberal democracy. Using numerous real life examples from all over the world, this text explores how each is used in practice and provides discussion of the main problems with each model. It also examines the strengths and weaknesses of the main voting systems. The book concludes by considering the merits of the three models of democracy and looks at how the level of democratic control can be increased in the future. Two themes run through the book: the diversity of democratic practice; and the extent to which people have power over decisions that affect their lives. The challenge for democracy in the 21st Century is not how democracy is achieved but which decisions are taken democratically and which group of people participate.