Lessons for citizens of a new democracy / Peter C. Ordeshook.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 127-130) and index.

Contents: 1. Democracy: Just another Experiment? 2. Must we be something other than what we are? 3. Fools or Geniuses: What are Voters like in a Democracy? 4. Must we vote to be Democratic? 5. What is a fair and Competitive Election? 6. Economics or Politics: Which is the Chicken and which is the Egg? 7. Constitutional Rights: Mere words of Sustainable Guarantees? 8. Democratic Institutions: Why would they influence anything? 9. A New Constitution: Should we cut trees to print it? 10. Constitutions: Are there rules for how to write them? 11. Federalism: Ingredient for stability or a recipe for Dissolution? 12. Political Parties: A Source of Faction or Agents of Stability? 13. Legislatures: Can they govern us if they cannot govern themselves? 14. A Two-Chamber Legislature: Isn’t one more than enough? 15. Parliaments versus Presidents: Legislative Incoherence versus Authoritarian Rule? 16. Emergency Clauses: Essential Precaution or a lack of faith? 17. Russia’s Choices: An accident waiting to happen? 18. Can we be a Democracy? Index

This is one of four essays, each published separately, and also available together in one hardback edition, which survey classical liberalism and civil society. This paperback offers thoughts on democracy and citizenship, asking, for example, if democracy is just another experiment.