| This thesis argues that democracy is malleable enough to be adapted to meet the needs of society and it explores the philosophical theories of democracy. As with most cases, theory and reality may be substantially different. However, this work shows that, when applied judiciously, the theories of the philosophical doctrine of democracy prove to be adaptable enough to benefit any society. The thesis examines three specific forms of democracy: direct democracy, liberal democracy, and social democracy. This work examines the theories of each form, presenting a brief historical account and assessment. It utilizes three case studies in order to illustrate the employment of democracy: direct democracy in California, liberal democracy in India, and social democracy in Sweden. Our methods include studies and data from the European Union, The Economist, and the World Values Survey as well as secondary sources from thinkers who have done extensive work in this area. |
