In this collection of essays, attention is given to basic issues about democracy that, in spite of their high practical relevance, tend to be taken for granted and not seriously addressed. What should be expected or not expected from democracy? What are the conditions for democracy to be stable? What is the relationship between democracy and economic growth, income distribution, social policies, and the efficiency of public administration? Although broad and potentially contentious, these questions are treated both professionally and thoughtfully and on the whole with little ideological bias.