This text explores elections as instruments of democracy. Focusing on elections in 20 democracies over the last 25 years, it examines the differences between two visions of democracy - the majoritarian vision and the proportional influence vision.

There is more than one way to run a successful democracy. Lijphart divides these democracies into two basic models: majoritarian democracies, in which the majority rules, and consensus democracies, in which deep divisions in the society have prompted restraints on majority rule. This book is the broadest and most thorough comparative study of democratic regimes available and will be especially suitable for course use.

To the ancient Greeks, democracy meant gathering in public and debating laws set by a randomly selected assembly of several hundred citizens. To the Icelandic Vikings, democracy meant meeting every summer in a field to discuss issues until consensus was reached. Our contemporary representative democracies are very different. Modern parliaments are gated and guarded, and it seems as if only certain people are welcome. Diagnosing what is wrong with representative government and aiming to recover some of the openness of ancient democracies, Open Democracy presents a new paradigm of democracy. Supporting a fresh nonelectoral understanding of democratic representation, Hélène Landemore demonstrates that placing ordinary citizens, rather than elites, at the heart of democratic power is not only the true meaning of a government of, by, and for the people, but also feasible and, more than ever, urgently needed. -- Cover page 4.

Examining 36 democracies from 1945 to 2010, this text arrives at conclusions about what type of democracy works best. It demonstrates that consensual systems stimulate economic growth, control inflation and unemployment, and limit budget deficits.

A powerful case for why majority rule—not representation—is the defining feature of democratic politics The idea that democratic governance rests on active self-rule by citizens plays surprisingly little part in current theories of democracy, which instead stress the importance of representation by elected, appointed, or randomly selected bodies such as legislatures, courts, and juries. This would have astonished eighteenth-century theorists of democracy, who viewed universal suffrage and majoritarian voting as the sole criteria for democratic politics. Active and Passive Citizens defends the view of these earlier thinkers, asserting that individual agency is the very essence of democracy. In this provocative and lucidly argued book, Richard Tuck draws on the distinction made by the Abbé Sieyès, a leading political theorist of the French Revolution, between “active” citizens (the electorate) and “passive” ones (those who are represented by the institutions of the state). Tuck traces our current representative view of democracy to Sieyès and contrasts him with Rousseau, a theorist of active self-rule by the people. Tuck argues that modern theories of democracy have effectively turned us into passive citizens and calls for a renewal of a majoritarian democracy that realizes the full potential of active citizenship. Based on the prestigious Tanner Lectures delivered at Princeton University’s Center for Human Values, Active and Passive Citizens is edited and introduced by Stephen Macedo and includes commentary by political theorists Simone Chambers, Joshua Cohen, John Ferejohn, and Melissa Schwartzberg.

Discover the transformative power of majoritarian democracy with "Majoritarian Democracy," a vital addition to the "Political Science" series. This book offers an in-depth exploration of majoritarian democracy, its principles, challenges, and impact on governance. Understand how majority rule interacts with minority rights and how different electoral systems shape democratic outcomes. 1-Majoritarian Democracy-Explore foundational concepts and core principles. 2-Democracy-Situate majoritarian democracy within broader democratic theory. 3-Election-Investigate the role of elections in reflecting the majority's will. 4-Proportional Representation-Contrast proportional representation with majoritarian systems. 5-First-past-the-post Voting-Understand this voting system and its implications. 6-Tyranny of the Majority-Recognize the risks of majority dominance over minorities. 7-Parallel Voting-Learn how parallel systems balance majoritarian and proportional elements. 8-Majoritarianism-Delve into majoritarianism as a political ideology. 9-Majority Rule-Examine the principle of majority rule in democratic decisions. 10-Majority Criterion-Investigate criteria ensuring fair majority rule. 11-Minoritarianism-Explore the role of minoritarianism in protecting minority interests. 12-Geniocracy-Discuss the implications of geniocracy on majoritarian democracy. 13-How Democratic Is the American Constitution?-Assess the Constitution's alignment with majoritarian principles. 14-Elections in Georgia (Country)-Review Georgia's electoral systems for a comparative perspective. 15-Liberal Democracy-Explore the relationship between majoritarian and liberal democratic principles. 16-Semi-proportional Representation-Analyze systems that balance majority rule with minority representation. 17-Electoral System-Explore various electoral systems shaping political outcomes. 18-Majoritarian Representation-Understand majoritarian representation in different frameworks. 19-Outline of Political Science-Get an overview of political science concepts relevant to majoritarian democracy. 20-Mixed Electoral System-Examine systems integrating majoritarian and proportional elements. 21-Mixed-member Majoritarian Representation-Explore balanced democratic outcomes through mixed-member majoritarian representation. "Majoritarian Democracy" is your key to unlocking the complexities of democratic governance. Its clear explanations offer invaluable insights for professionals, students, and enthusiasts. The understanding gained from this book offers lasting benefits and a deeper appreciation for democracy's dynamics.

What is more paradoxically democratic than a people exercising their vote against the harbingers of the rule of law and democracy? What happens when the will of the people and the rule of law are at odds? Some commentators note that the presence of illiberal political movements in the public arena of many Western countries demonstrates that their democracy is so inclusive and alive that it comprehends and countenances even undemocratic forces and political agendas. But what if, on the contrary, these were the signs of the deconsolidation of democracy instead of its good health? What if democratically elected regimes were to ignore constitutional principles representing the rule of law and the limits of their power? With contributions from judges and scholars from different backgrounds and nationalities this book explores the framework in which this tension currently takes place in several Western countries by focusing on four key themes: - The Rule of Law: presenting a historical and theoretical reconstruction of the evolution of the Rule of Law; - The People: dealing with a set of problems around the notion of 'people' and the forces claiming to represent their voice; - Democracy and its enemies: tackling a variety of phenomena impacting on the traditional democratic balance of powers and institutional order; - Elected and Non-Elected: focusing on the juxtaposition between judges (and, more generally, non-representative bodies) and the people's representation.