Part 1 The current level of research. Part 2 Elections and democracy: definition; history; identity theory versus competitive theory; "Freedom of Election"; voting principles; criticisms of elections. Part 3 Elections, electoral systems and parties in selected states: the range of democratic electoral systems; the United Kingdom; France; Germany; comparison and summary. Part 4 Voting and elections in West Germany: voting structure; electoral sociology; elections - is there an alternative?