Democracy: A Beginner's Guide (Beginner's Guides)

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. Contents 6 Tables and figures 8 Preface and acknowledgements 10 Chapter 1 Introduction: what is democracy? 12 The meaning of democracy 13 Direct and representative democracy 16 Collective action and individual choice 18 Chapter 2 Democratic ideas in practice 23 Citizen rights 23 Institutions of representative and accountable government 33 The associational life of civil society 47 Chapter 3 Sources of disillusion in the 'old' democracies 55 Decline in government autonomy 56 Decline in government capacity 65 Declining credibility 72 Chapter 4 Success and setback in the new and emergent democracies 80 Legacies of transition 86 Consolidating and deepening democracy 94 Chapter 5 Globalising democracy 113 Democracy promotion 113 Democratising global institutions 120 Democracy and the european union 134 Chapter 6 Reviving democracy: new forms of participation 141 Participation in government 142 Co-decision in devolved government 144 Deliberative polls and citizens’ juries 148 Referenda and citizens’ initiatives 153 Digital democracy 161 Chapter 7 Conclusion: getting active 168 Glossary of key terms 173 Democracy and human rights organisations and websites 189 Datasets on democracy and public opinion 197 Index 198 "Designed for the activist, the student and the simply curious, this book features such useful resources as an annotated list of websites and organisations and a glossary of key terms. As both a handbook and a manifesto, it offers new directions for a modern democracy based on freedom, equality and active participation at every level of society."--Jacket