The study of the democratic transitions of former Communist states has been fertile ground for students of politics. This book provides a novel \"ground up\" perspective by examining the ways in which ordinary people have viewed and responded to democracy....

Contending discourses underlie many of the worlds most intractable conflicts, producing misery and violence. This is especially true in the post–9/11 world. However, contending discourses can also open the way to greater dialogue in global civil society and across states and international organizations....