This book seeks to fill the gap in the scientific examination of the defects of democracy. While research on democracy is thriving, the system-inherent defects of democracy receive relatively little (albeit growing) scientific attention. These issues include "short-termism," the "instability of numbers," the tendency towards "tyranny of the majority," and competence deficits among both the demos and the leadership. The authors of this volume—renowned experts in the field of democracy research—each focus on one defect, explore it in depth, and discuss institutional reform proposals.