This module will explore contemporary democracy and the challenges it faces. Democracy is the political system adopted by the vast majority of countries today, but what after all is democracy? There are many gaps between theory and practice. This module aims to discuss why gaps exist between basic democratic theory and its practice. From there it will explore democracy as a political system and the variety of problems it faces. The module includes four main parts: (1) exploring the features and contradictions in democracy from the starting point of democratic ideals and practice; (2) analysing the factors behind the “Third Wave” of democratization and the reasons for the appearance of “democratic regression”; (3) evaluating different types of democratic systems; and (4) examining the complicated links between democracy and market economy