This comprehensive survey of the state of democracy in 'Third World' countries explores both the domestic and international factors influencing democratization through the use of theoretical and empirical approaches. The contributors examine a variety of factors - domestic socio-economic circumstances and structures in particular, as well as international threats and promises - in order to assess the sustainability of democracy in Africa, Asia and Latin America. By comparing the experiences of these regions over time this book explains the position of democracy in the 'Third World' at the start of the twenty-first century.