The second, comprehensively updated and expanded edition of this book summarises the findings of research into democracy and democratisation in a condensed form. It provides an easy-to-understand overview of the history of democratic theories, democratic systems of government in comparison and empirical research on the worldwide development of democratisation processes, presenting the findings of all political science sub-disciplines in an integrated manner. Its introductory texts are supplemented with further references, charts and graphs as well as suggestions for discussion on the individual chapters. The book is structured according to modules and is therefore suitable for use in political science teaching.