bThis unique textbook provides students with a detailed look at many different aspects of democracy in practice: clearly describing and analysing all three existing models of democracy: <BR> * participatory democracy<BR> * referenda and initiatives<BR> * representative or liberal democracy.<BR> Using numerous real life examples from all over the world, this text explores how each is used in practice and provides discussion of the main problems with each model, answering the question:<BR> Why are there so many different forms of democratic practice?