Democracy has come under scrutiny - voter turnout is declining, and citizens' skepticism towards politicians is increasing. Governments appear powerless in the fight to regulate global financial markets. At the same time, a democratic spring has awakened in North Africa, where millions of people place their hopes, and in China, brave dissidents like Liu Xiaobo are calling for more freedom and human rights. But what do we actually mean when we talk about democracy? Why is there a parliament, and how did political parties come into existence? Do we need more direct participation from the people? Is democracy reaching the limits of its possibilities in a global and multicultural world?.