Achieving Democracy analyzes why some nations become democratic while others remain authoritarian by looking at issues of democratization from a cross-national and historical perspective. "Achieving Democracy gives students a clear and lively introduction to theories of democratization and the conceptual tools they need both to understand and to challenge those theories.  At a time when the politics of democratization continue to surprise us, it will provide a valuable resource for students and teachers alike." -Michael Goodhart, University of Pittsburgh, USA.