David Beetham is Professor of Politics and Director of the Centre of Democratization Studies at the University of Leeds. Kevin Boyle is an American author and the William Smith Mason Professor of American History at Northwestern University. His 2004 book, Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age, won the National Book Award.

"Valuable as a primer in liberal democracy, and helpful in initial discussions of democracy." Global Times "This book is written by two of the best interpreters of democracy and human rights in this country. It is so well written (and illustrated, with cartoons) that I believe it to be understandable to anyone aged 11 or more and is interesting and relevant enough to be recommended to everyone, especially voters." Newsletter of the Citizenship Foundation

• 1. Basic Concepts and Principles. 2. Free and Fair Elections.3. Open and Accountable Government.4. Individual Rights and their Defence.5. Democratic or Civil Society.6. The Future of Democracy.Further Reading.

David Beetham is Professor of Politics and Director of the Centre of Democratization Studies at the University of Leeds. Kevin Boyle is an American author and the William Smith Mason Professor of American History at Northwestern University. His 2004 book, Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age, won the National Book Award.

"Valuable as a primer in liberal democracy, and helpful in initial discussions of democracy." Global Times "This book is written by two of the best interpreters of democracy and human rights in this country. It is so well written (and illustrated, with cartoons) that I believe it to be understandable to anyone aged 11 or more and is interesting and relevant enough to be recommended to everyone, especially voters." Newsletter of the Citizenship Foundation

• 1. Basic Concepts and Principles. 2. Free and Fair Elections.3. Open and Accountable Government.4. Individual Rights and their Defence.5. Democratic or Civil Society.6. The Future of Democracy.Further Reading.

David Beetham is Professor of Politics and Director of the Centre of Democratization Studies at the University of Leeds. Kevin Boyle is an American author and the William Smith Mason Professor of American History at Northwestern University. His 2004 book, Arc of Justice: A Saga of Race, Civil Rights, and Murder in the Jazz Age, won the National Book Award.

"Valuable as a primer in liberal democracy, and helpful in initial discussions of democracy." Global Times "This book is written by two of the best interpreters of democracy and human rights in this country. It is so well written (and illustrated, with cartoons) that I believe it to be understandable to anyone aged 11 or more and is interesting and relevant enough to be recommended to everyone, especially voters." Newsletter of the Citizenship Foundation

• 1. Basic Concepts and Principles. 2. Free and Fair Elections.3. Open and Accountable Government.4. Individual Rights and their Defence.5. Democratic or Civil Society.6. The Future of Democracy.Further Reading.