Part One: The sources of modern democracy. The first transformation: to the democratic city-state
Toward the second transformation: republicanism, representation, and the logic of equality

Part Two: Adversarial critics. Anarchism
Guardianship
A critique of guardianship
Part Three: A theory of the democratic process. Justifications: the idea of equal intrinsic worth
Personal autonomy
A theory of the democratic process
The problem of inclusion

Part Four: Problems in the democratic process. Majority rule and the democratic process
Is there a better alternative?
Process and substance
Process versus process
When is a people entitled to the democratic process?

Part Five: The limits and possibilities of democracy. The second democratic transformation: from the city-state to the nation-state
Democracy, polyarchy, and participation
How polyarchy developed in some countries and not others
Why polyarchy developed in some countries and not others
Is minority domination inevitable?
Pluralism, polyarchy, and the common good
The common good as process and substance

Part Six: Toward a third transformation. Democracy in tomorrow's world
Sketches for an advanced democratic country.