Abstract
This paper takes three of the fourteen topics provided on the Democratic Audit web site and apply them to a study of democracy in Iran. Specifically, the paper assesses the country's progress towards democracy, the quality of its democracy, and the functioning of its institutions - all by using the following three topics as a "measuring stick". These topics are a) civil and political rights, b) economic and social rights, and c) the extent of participation in the political process by various Iranian citizens.

Tags:democracy, iraq, index

Abstract
Putnam believes that the building of social capital and the presence of civic culture play an important role in both promoting and strengthening democracy, whereas both Caplan and Fiorina suggest that social capital is at best neutral, and at worst corrosive, of democracy. This paper will argue that, while social capital and a civic culture may coincide with democracy, they do not necessarily promote or strengthen it. Specifically, this essay will make the case that there can be social capital without democracy; meanwhile, the example of America in what Putnam calls the age of bowling alone will make the complementary case that there can be democracy without social capital.

From the Paper
Why Social Capital Is Unnecessary for Democracy Introduction Putnam believes that the building of social capital and the presence of civic culture play an important role in both promoting and strengthening democracy, whereas both Caplan and Fiorina suggest that social capital is at best neutral, and at worst corrosive, of democracy. This paper will argue that, while social capital and a civic culture may coincide with democracy, they do not necessarily promote or strengthen it. Specifically, this essay will make the case that there can be social capital without democracy; meanwhile, the example of America in what Putnam calls the age

Tags:social, capital, democracy

Abstract
In assessing Russia's progress towards democracy, the quality of Russian democracy, and the effective functioning of Russian institutions, it is evident that after a promising start in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia is degenerating back into authoritarianism. Democracy began to fail more than a decade ago during Boris Yeltsin's presidency, mainly because of incompetence and inexperience with democratic institutions and electoral processes, but it is failing today under Vladimir Putin primarily because this former KGB chairman and the authoritarians in his government do not want democratization to succeed in Russia.

From the Paper
Democratic Audit: An Analysis of Democracy in Russia In assessing Russia's progress towards democracy, the quality of Russian democracy, and the effective functioning of Russian institutions, it is evident that after a promising start in the aftermath of the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia is degenerating back into authoritarianism. Democracy began to fail more than a decade ago during Boris Yeltsin's presidency, mainly because of incompetence and inexperience with democratic institutions and electoral processes, but it is failing today

Tags:democracy, in, russia

Abstract
This paper explores the reasons "Democracy in America" is repeatedly quoted as a commentator on life in America and why numerous politicians reference the book in speeches as well as political and presidential campaigns. The author goes on to explain why candidates and incumbents consequently turn to one of its most perceptive analysts, Tocqueville, as he mixes a gratitude towards democracy with an acknowledgement of its flaws. The book is often considered a major source for anyone who wants to better understand America. The paper also addresses the author's views on democracy, freedom and the role of the government.

From the Paper
"The other danger Tocqueville acknowledged occurred when the people became so fixed in pursuit of material pleasures that they neglected their duties as citizens. "Under this system the citizens quit their state of dependence just long enough to choose their masters and then fall back into it."8 Democracy, then, could lead gently into a benign despotism, although there was no assurance that such a government would remain benign and much evidence to the contrary. In these elections, candidates typically remind the populace that voting is a key obligation as a way to preserve the essence of the democratic process. Candidates gradually begin to realize that the 21st century Tocquevillian America is not necessarily Republican, any more than Tocqueville's 1830s America inevitably voted for the Jacksonian Democrats. (The Whigs, when they escaped the thrall of their New England elites, won elections too, and in the 1990s Bill Clinton has shown that Democrats can win by convincing margins."

Tags:literature, democracy, united, states, government

Abstract
This paper offers the perspective that Islam sends contradictory messages about the validity of pluralism and democracy. The paper defines democracy and its manifestations as well as the militant forms of both Islam and democracy. The focus of the paper is on Islam as a religious belief system that shaped social, political, cultural relations in many nation-states.

From the Paper
"Democracy is often characterized as a method of giving all citizens in a nation-state a share in political decision making. However, the word democracy is used in a number of different ways. Direct democracies are distinguished from representative democracies in that the latter reflect governance systems in which voters select their favored representatives. Democracy is also manifested by different types of representative systems with degrees of participation integral to the determination of the nature of the democracy."

Tags:Islam, democracy

Abstract
The following paper discusses Rousseau's theory of democracy which was contradictory to the dictum of the democratic practice we have today but is nevertheless the practical view of democracy. This paper argues that although Rousseau's theory may not be congruent to the image we have of democracy or the natural state, we have seen traces of it in existent in our life.

From the Paper
"When man was first introduced with the theory of living in a society, he was only too glad to join as it ensured his safety and shelter. Through the course of time he learned from others to become wiser in the ways of living, thereby there emerged laws and regulations by one community abide to live together. Many communities have their own rules and regulations, and each one put up conditions for any one who does not obey it. This was a natural discourse by which man had grown to become caveman society."

Tags:contradictory, dictum, democratic, practice, practical, view, democracy, congruent, natural, state, traces, existent, life

Abstract
This paper is a dissertation on the necessity for education in a democratic society. It deals with the problems ignorance can cause with regard to freedom and some possible explanations for these current problems.

From the paper:

"The link between education and democracy is well documented. Philosophers from the likes of Plato to Booker Washington to the late John Dewey as well as many others understood this point well. As Dewey begins a chapter in his book, Problems of Men, "It is obvious that the relationship between democracy and education is a reciprocal one, a mutual one, and vitally so."(34). Dewey goes on to further drive home the point that with liberty lies a tremendous responsibility, "Do you want to be a free human being standing on your own feet, accepting the responsibilities, the duties that go with that position as an effective member of society?" (34). It is these duties that are neglected in a civilization unlearned. Democracy in a true form is likely impossible, however the continuation and evolution of a democratic society requires informed involvement from all of the population. Effective involvement requires at least moderate thinking ability and knowledge."

Tags:arts, broad, democracy, dewey, education, freedom, ignorance, liberal, modern, problems

Abstract
This paper discusses the factors that led to Adolf Hitler being able to reach the position of such high power that he did. The paper first examines the failed republic from whose ashes Hitler rose - the Weimar Republic. It looks at the history of the republic and its aims and then discusses the reasons why it failed. Finally, the paper discusses how Hitler used these failures as stepping stones to his success.

From the Paper
"At this point, the situation in Germany was changing for the better. Attempts to overthrow the republic from left and right had failed, and the introduction of a stable currency helped fuel economic recovery. A settlement of the reparations problem, the Dawes Plan, was negotiated in 1924; the French occupation of the Ruhr was ended in 1925; and the Locarno Treaty created a greater sense of security in Europe. Germany's western borders were declared final, while its eastern borders could only be changed by agreement, not force."

Tags:Treaty of Versailles, democracy reich

Abstract
This paper discusses how the Sonderweg theory can be used to explain the political history of Germany, a relatively new European power. The paper explains that the Sonderweg theory suggests that Germany took its own distinct course through its development and history, different from that of the other European nations and that, when applied to the political history of Germany, the theory seems to be highly relevant. In particular, the paper relates that the first point of application of the Sonderweg theory to Germany's political development is the lack of change to the political dimension within Germany after the 1848-49 Revolution. The paper contends that this lack of change took Germany down a fundamentally different path than the rest of Europe.

From the Paper
"The United German Empire declared in the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles would be founded around many of these same autocratic principles. The newly Unified Germany was founded out of a series of autocratic, militaristic wars lead by the Prussian President Otto Von Bismarck against the Danes in 1864, the Austro-Prussian war of 1866, and the Franco-Prussian war of 1870. This strategy is understood as the policy of Machpolitik, founded in the belief that in order to protect its precarious geographic in the centre of the European plain, sharing more borders with other countries than any other European nation the German leadership would have to seemingly act without guiding moral principles in order to ensure its survival. "

Tags:Third, Reich, prussia, national, socialism, democracy

Abstract
This paper focuses on the reasons for Hitler's rise to power over the Weimar Republic. In particular, it discusses how the failure of the Weimar Republic was due in part to the Treaty of Versailles and how it caused social unrest, economic upheaval and lastly, political tension within the Republic itself. It attempts to show how all of these factors led to the eventual downfall of the Weimar Republic and the rise of Adolf Hitler.

From the Paper
"Because Berlin was still rife with revolutionary tension, the meeting for the drafting of the new Constitution for the new Republic was held at Thuringian town, Weimar. The National Assembly passed the Constitution on July 31, 1919. It was accepted by "265 to 75 votes". Power was derived from the people and the state (Reich) was a democratic Republic. The German Parliament (Reichstag) was where sovereignty resided and it was elected every four years. The vote was extended to men and to women over 21 years of age. Each party was allowed one representative for every 60 000 votes cast in its favour. The former states were renamed into provinces, Lander. The former federal council was replaced with the Reichsrat. The executive power, formally vested in the Kaiser, was shared between the Rech President and the Reich government. "

Tags:allies, armistice, democracy, germany, hitler, reich, reparation