This book is an up-to-date analysis and review of the trends and events which marked the slow and uncertain progress of Britain towards representative parliamentary democracy from 1830 to 1918. Set in the general context of world democratic development, the book deals with debates, popular participation and achievements in regard to franchise extension, the secret ballot, female suffrage, elimination of electoral corruption, proportional representation and restriction of the veto powers of the House of Lords. The book concludes by raising questions about the adoption, in the future, of a more directly democratic system of government.