Democracy is the ability to participate freely and equally in the political and economic affairs of the country. Americans have relied on philosophical pragmatism and on the impulse of political progressivism to express those creedal democratic values. Achieving Democracy argues that, in the last 30 years, however, by focusing on free markets and small government, America has since lost its grasp on these crucial democratic values. Economically, the vast majority of Americans have been made worse off due to a historically unprecedented redistribution of wealth from the lower and middle classes to the top one percent. Politically, partisan gridlock has hampered efforts to seek fairer taxes, responsive and effective regulation, reliable health care, and better education, among other needs. Achieving Democracy critiques the history of the last 30 years of neoliberal government in the United States, and enables an understanding of the dynamic and changing nature of contemporary government and the future of the regulatory state. Sidney A. Shapiro and Joseph P. Tomain demonstrate how lessons from the past can be applied today to regain essential democratic losses within the successful framework of a progressive government to ultimately construct a good society for all citizens.

Foreword -Mitchell SeligsonSection 1:Introduction to Democratic Development1. Democracy's March through History - Marlene Sokolon and Mary Fran T. Malone2. Why Democracy? - Jonathon Hiskey and Alynna Lyon3. Explaining Democratization - Mary Fran T. MaloneSection 2:First Wave of Democracy4. The Development and Growth of British Democracy - Nicoletta F. Gullace5. The American Road to Democracy: An Early Start, but Late Finish - Marvin P. King, Jr., Stephanie McLean6. The Emergence and Evolution of Democracy in Switzerland - Paolo DardanelliSection 2 Discussion Questions and Hypothesis Testing Exercise Section 3:Second Wave of Democracy7. From Defeat and Division to Democracy in Germany - Paul Fritz8. The Transformation of Japanese Democracy - Mary Alice Haddad9. India's Democracy: Success against the Odds - Laura Jenkins and Harita PatelSection 3 Discussion Questions and Hypothesis Testing Exercise Section 4:Third Wave of Democracy10. Democracy Interrupted and Restored: the Case of Chile - Mary Fran T. Malone11. Poland's Democratic Development - Ewa Golebiowska12. South Africa's Miraculous Transition to Democracy - Emily RodioSection 4 Discussion Questions and Hypothesis Testing Exercise Section 5:Conclusion13. Why is Democracy Elusive in the Middle East? - Jeannie Sowers14. The Promotion of Democracy: Actors and Methods - Dinorah AzpuruSection 5 Discussion Questions and Hypothesis Testing Exercise Afterword - Mary Fran T. Malone