A key issue for any work that seeks to examine the fortunes of democracy concerns this concept’s very meaning. Kurlantzick draws on a widely used definition from the Economist Intelligence Unit: “[D]emocracy means ‘government based on majority rule and the consent of the governed, the existence of free and fair elections, the protection of minorities and respect for basic human rights. Democracy presupposes equality before the law, due process and political pluralism.’” Kurlantzick’s books also aims to add a component not included in this definition – democratic political culture – which includes “respect for the concept of a loyal opposition, support for democratic political institutions, and interest in and access to political participation, among other components” (p. 25).