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As the principles and practices of democracy continue to spread ever more widely, it is hard to imagine a corner of the globe into which they will not eventually penetrate. But the euphoria of democratic revolutions is typically short-lived, and usually followed by disgruntlement and even cynicism about the actual operation of democratic institutions. It is widely accepted that democracy is a good thing. However democrats have much work to do in improving the performance of democratic institutions. The essays in this volume focus on this difficult and vital challenge: how can we improve the de

As the principles and practices of democracy continue to spread ever more widely, it is hard to imagine a corner of the globe into which they will not eventually penetrate. But the euphoria of democratic revolutions is typically short-lived, and usually followed by disgruntlement and even cynicism about the actual operation of democratic institutions. It is widely accepted that democracy is a good thing. However democrats have much work to do in improving the performance of democratic institutions. The essays in this volume focus on this difficult and vital challenge: how can we improve the de.

Societies controlled by custom or social structure are far older than societies governed by law. These customary or primad societies have methods of control, though different from those of political societies. The primad society is essentially small and democratic. Can the democratic institutions of primad societies be maintained with political societies? Law is a recent social development centering around the origin of kings. The function of law is to maintain inequality. In primad societies where there is general equality, law is inoperative. In political societies law is enforced through courts and organized force, but in primad societies the culture is maintained and conformity produced by mutual reciprocity, emotional involvement, and a uniform PO created through discussion. A further source of unity and stability is kinship and its obligations. The discussion group or council is a feature of all primad societies, but different for nomadic and settled peoples. The nomads use an ad hoc council system to attain unanimity while the settled peoples maintain a more permanent arrangement. Can this democratic council or discussion system of securing uniformity be maintained within the framework of an European administration? Where the council's powers are restricted, it soon ceases to function. J. E. Hughes.

Summarizes the book's analyses of political change in contemporary democracies. Institutional change in the three forms of democracy -- representative democracy, direct democracy, & advocacy democracy -- has resulted in expanded citizen access & participation in the political process. The changing relationship between citizens & the state is explored through examples from articles in the text. The effects of expanded direct democracy & advocacy democracy on state structure, the governing process, & government efficacy are appraised. 1 Table, 1 Figure. L. Collins Leigh

Anhand der institutionellen Arrangements innerhalb des politischen Systems in der Republik China (Taiwan) überprüft der Autor den aktuellen Stand im Demokratisierungsprozeß des Landes und sucht nach Hinweisen auf den Grad der demokratischen Konsolidierung. Seine Betrachtungen zum Wandel von sechs zentralen Kriterien/Spielregeln in der politischen Kultur (demokratische Verfassung, Anerkennung ziviler Kontrolle über das Militär, faires und kompetitives Wahlsystem, Parteiensystem, repräsentative Legislative, Beziehungen zwischen Staat und Gesellschaft) führen ihn zu dem Schluß, daß die institutionelle Transformation hin zur Demokratie abgeschlossen ist, der Beweis für die erfolgte Konsolidierung allerdings bis zu einem Machtwechsel (Abwahl der GMD) noch aussteht. (FUB/APCh-Emn)