Introduction: models of democracy -- Precursors to modern democratic theory -- Protective democracy -- Developmental democracy -- Pluralist democracy -- Participatory democracy -- The models compared -- Suggestions for further reading -- 1. The first challenge : separation of powers -- The founders' work -- The Jeffersonian model -- The separation of powers and democratic values -- The parliamentary alternative -- Meeting the challenge : bridge the separation of powers -- Thought questions -- Suggestions for further reading -- Selected Web sites -- 2. The second challenge : the imperial judiciary -- The least democratic branch -- A brief history of judicial review -- Two cases of judicial usurpation -- Can judicial review be made consistent with democracy? -- The judicialization of American politics as a challenge to democracy -- Meeting the challenge : revitalize American democracy -- Thought questions -- Suggestions for further reading -- Selected Web sites -- 3. The third challenge : radical individualism -- Individualism in the American tradition -- American habits of the heart -- The flaws of libertarianism -- Our pathological politics of rights and interests -- The failed opportunity to build community after 9/11 -- Meeting the challenge : balance rights with responsibilities -- Thought questions -- Suggestions for further reading -- Selected Web sites -- 4. The fourth challenge : citizen participation -- Citizen participation and democratic theory -- Citizen political participation -- Signs of civic disengagement -- The new citizen activism -- Participation as a challenge to democracy -- Meeting the challenge : more, not less, participation -- Thought questions -- Suggestions for further reading -- Selected Web sites -- 5. The fifth challenge : trivialized elections -- Equal representation -- Deliberation -- Control -- Meeting the challenge : reform electoral institutions, promote democratic deliberation -- Thought questions -- Suggestions for further reading -- Selected Web sites -- 6. The sixth challenge : the privileged position of business -- American politics as pluralist heaven -- Business : the privileged group -- Why business privilege is a threat to democracy -- Objections to the privileged-position-of-business thesis -- Meeting the challenge : democratic action to reduce business privilege -- Thought questions -- Suggestions for further reading -- Selected Web sites -- 7. The seventh challenge : inequality -- Equality and democratic theory -- The end of the American dream? -- The persistence of racial inequality -- Economic inequality's challenge to democracy -- Meeting the challenge : policies to promote equality -- Thought questions -- Suggestions for further reading -- Selected Web sites -- 8. The eighth challenge : the national security state -- The burgeoning of the national security state -- Secrecy -- Centralization -- Repression -- Distortion -- Meeting the challenge : reform to achieve true security -- Thought questions -- Suggestions for further reading -- Selected Web sites.