This book provides an introduction to democratic theory and empirical research on democracy and democratization. The book first examines conceptions of democracy from the origins in ancient Greece to the present day, then tracks when and where modern democracy has developed. On this basis, the book reviews the major debates and schools of thought dealing with domestic and international causes and consequences of democratization. Based on a systematic distinction between minimalist and maximalist definitions of democracy, the book provides a comprehensive and critical assessment of existing...

This book seeks to explain the divergent political pathways of twenty six post-communist states, following the breakdown and eventual collapse of communism in 1989-1991. Considering the trajectories of individual states between 1990 - 2007, this book challenges two central bodies of theory relating to democratization and regime change. Through a sustained analysis of global and post-communist developments within this time period, the author shows that claims of an increasing asymmetry between the 'electoral' and 'liberal' elements of modern democracy have been greatly exaggerated. The author...

Was braucht es, um als Mensch wirklich frei zu sein? Sozialismus - davon uberzeugt war der Schriftsteller Oscar Wilde. In dem erstmals im Jahr 1891 veroffentlichten Essay Der Sozialismus und die Seele des Menschen entwarf er die Utopie einer sozialistischen Gesellschaft. Es wird naturlich gesagt werden, ein solcher Plan, wie er hier vorgebracht ist, sei ganz unpraktisch und gehe gegen die Natur des Menschen. Das ist vollig wahr. Er ist unpraktisch und er geht gegen die Natur des Menschen. Darum verdient er es, durchgefuhrt zu werden, und darum schlagt man ihn vor. Denn was ist ein praktischer...