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The rapid worldwide phase of democratization since the 1980s has stimulated a renewed interest in how we define and measure democracy. The contributors to this volume include leading political theorists, political scientists and experts in comparative government from across Europe.
Defining and Measuring Democracy offers an integrated analysis of key debates and issues ranging from the question of how to define democracy to the issue of cultural diversity. Each chapter offers new insights and approaches placed in the context of contemporary debates.
List of contents
Introduction - David Beetham
Democratic Theory and Indices of Democratization - Michael Saward
Key Principles and Indices for a Democratic Audit - David Beetham
More Participation, More Democracy? - Geraint Parry and George Moyser
The Duration of Democracy - Axel Hadenius
Institutional vs Socio-economic Factors
Is the Degree of Electoral Democracy Measurable? - Jørgen Elklit
Experiences from Bulgaria, Kenya, Latvia, Mongolia and Nepal
Primary Control and Auxiliary Precautions - Stuart Weir
A Comparative Study of Democratic Institutions in Six Nations
The Experiential Approach to Auditing Democracy - Patrick Dunleavy and Helen Margetts
The Idea of Democracy in the West and in the East - Nikolai Biryukov and Victor Sergeyev
Cultural Diveristy and Liberal Democracy - Bhiku Parekh
About the author
David Beetham is Professor of Politics and Director of the Centre for Democratization Studies, University of Leeds. He is author of a number of books on political theory, including The Legitimation of Power (1991).
Summary
This volume examines how we define and measure democracy. From questions of how we define democracy to the issue of cultural diversity, each chapter aims to offer insights and approaches placed in the context of contemporary debates.
