This chapter examines the relationship between values and institution in the context of democratic elections. It suggests that the debate over the value and place of elections in modern democracy stems from the problem of defining democracy itself. Analyzing the values implicit in the use of the term democracy is important in understanding the relationship between democracy and elections. This is because political arrangements can be evaluated only if the standards to be applied are clear and because a detailing of the values involved in debates over the meaning of democracy is necessary if...

This chapter examines the relationship between values and institution in the context of democratic elections. It suggests that the debate over the value and place of elections in modern democracy stems from the problem of defining democracy itself. Analyzing the values implicit in the use of the term democracy is important in understanding the relationship between democracy and elections. This is because political arrangements can be evaluated only if the standards to be applied are clear and because a detailing of the values involved in debates over the meaning of democracy is necessary if the politics and outcome of institutional reforms are to be understood.