Liberalism and Democracy: Can't Have One without the Other

Less than a quarter-century ago, demo cracy appeared to be confined, with a few exceptions, to North America and Western Europe. These nations had advanced in dustrial economies, sizable middle classes, and high literacy rates?factors that many political scientists regarded as prerequisites for successful democracy. They were home not only to free and competitive multiparty elections but also to the rule of law and the protection of individual liberties. In short, they were what had come to be called liberal democracies.