@article{320014,
      recid = {320014},
      author = {Diamond, Larry Jay.},
      title = {The spirit of democracy : the struggle to build free  societies throughout the world /},
      publisher = {Times Books/Henry Holt and Company,},
      address = {New York :},
      pages = {448 p. :},
      year = {2008},
      abstract = {In 1974, nearly three-quarters of all countries were  dictatorships; today, more than half are democracies. Yet  recent efforts to promote democracy have stumbled, and many  democratic governments are faltering. Here, social  scientist Diamond examines how and why democracy  progresses. He demonstrates that the desire for democracy  runs deep, even in very poor countries, and that seemingly  entrenched regimes like Iran and China could become  democracies within a generation. He also dissects the  causes of the "democratic recession" in critical states,  including the crime-infested oligarchy in Russia and the  strong-armed populism of Venezuela. Diamond cautions that  arrogance and inconsistency have undermined America's  aspirations to promote democracy. To spur a renewed  democratic boom, he urges vigorous support of good  governance--the rule of law, security, protection of  individual rights, and shared economic prosperity--and free  civic organizations. Only then will the spirit of democracy  be secured.--From publisher description.},
      url = {http://library.usi.edu/record/320014},
}