With more than 400 entries the Encyclopedia of Democracy is the most comprehensive reference work available on the history and current state of democratic systems of government worldwide. Led by a prestigious editorial board, over 200 distinguished international scholars have produced an exhaustive survey of the key themes and issues of democratic theory and practice, from its beginnings in classical Greece to recent developments around the world, including the overthrow of communism in eastern Europe, the end of apartheid in South Africa, the issue of sovereignty in the European Union and the worldwide impact of mass media on democratic systems.