Beyond theory, democracy demands effective action. This level examines the vital institutions, laws, and expertise that translate ideals into a functioning and fair society.
Democracy thrives on a strong foundation of well-functioning institutions – the structures that govern our societies, provide essential services, and protect our rights. These institutions are the backbone of the Third Level of Democracy, acting as a vital bulwark against the erosion of democratic principles and the encroachment of authoritarianism. In times of crisis, when societal norms and individual actions falter, robust institutions are often the last line of defence, safeguarding the values of freedom, justice, and equality. This page aims to serve as a comprehensive outline of the key elements of a healthy democratic system, exploring the crucial role of institutions in shaping a just and equitable society.
Branches of government — Three or five branches of government?
Constitution — The legal bedrock of a democracy.
Institutional vs Human Factors in Democracy — Institutional and human factors influencing the quality of a democracy.
Separation of powers — A cornerstone of democratic institutions.
Small government — What kind of small government do people want?
Addendum E: Taxes — A necessary part of life
Constitution Annotated
Constitution of India
Constitution of the Philippines — Adopted by referendum in 1987.
Gun control
Lawmaking
Mass shootings: the human factor — Analysing the human and institutional factors behind mass shootings.
National Constitution Center — Studying and teaching the Constitution of the United States.
No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States
Obligations in democracy — Rights and Responsibilities
Over Ruled: The Human Toll of Too Much Law
National Constitution Center: A Conversation With Justice Neil Gorsuch on ‘The Human Toll of Too Much Law’
Centre for Law & Policy Research — Dedicated to the rule of law and defense of Indian constitutional values
Topics to be covered include: judicial independence and accountability...
It is often said that with great power comes great responsibility. We have to make sure not to disconnect power and responsibility.
Corruption — Corruption is a cancer that eats away at the very heart of democracy.
Criminal justice — Keeping the safety and well-being of society, while upholding both justice and human dignity.
Immunity
Justice — All the facets of justice in democratic and fair societies.
Related topics:
ABA Task Force for American Democracy
Accountability
American Bar Association
Bail — Pay up or sit in jail awaiting trial.
Brandenburg v. Ohio (1969)
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores, Inc. (2014)
Bush v. Gore (2000)
Capital punishment
Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. (1984)
Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission (2010)
Corruption — Corruption is a cancer that eats away at the very heart of democracy.
CourtListener — Legal research website by Free Law Project.
Criminal justice — Keeping the safety and well-being of society, while upholding both justice and human dignity.
Democracy Docket
District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
Free Law Project — Nonprofit facilitating access to primary legal material.
Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)
Injustice
Kelo v. City of New London (2005)
Lawyers — Upholding the law: safeguarding independence and integrity of the legal profession.
Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo (2024)
Loving v. Virginia (1967)
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
McDonald v. City of Chicago (2010)
Miranda v. Arizona (1966)
National Federation of Independent Business v. Sebelius (2012)
Obergefell v. Hodges (2015)
Obstruction of justice — Obstruction in breach of the separation of powers.
Oyez Project
PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) — Public Access to Court Electronic Records
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Roe v. Wade (1973)
Shelby County v. Holder (2013)
Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS)
Supreme court
Trump v. United States (SCOTUS, 2024)
Trump v. Vance (2020)
Whistleblower
Che Erwin Chemerinsky
Kar Fatma Karume — Tanzanian lawyer and women's rights activist.
Kir Glenn Kirschner — American attorney.
Les Lawrence Lessig — American lawyer and political activist.
Lut J. Michael Luttig — American Former Federal Appeals Court Judge
McC Mary B. McCord — American lawyer and security analyst.
Ras Jamie Raskin — U.S. representative for Maryland's 8th congressional district
Sel Matthew Seligman
Tri Laurence Tribe — American constitutional legal scholar.
Wei Andrew Weissmann — American attorney and professor
Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race & Justice
Systemic Justice Project
Gor Neil Gorsuch
Duverger Syndrome — The Duverger Syndrome is democracies' most critical illness.
Election integrity
4: Fourth level of democracy — We, the People — Giving the Power back to the People.
Voting methods
Military — Protecting democracy against authoritarian aggressions.
Industry self-regulation
6: Sixth level of democracy — We, the Breadwinners — We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we cannot have both.
8: Eighth level of democracy — We, Humans
List of organisations — Working for peace, democracy and social justice.
Addendum A: WIP — A work in progress
Addendum D: Education — Education and building the future.
Addendum E: Taxes — A necessary part of life
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Corruption in the United States
Debt
League of Women Voters: Making Democracy Work
Making Democracy Work
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) — Stimulate economic progress and seeking best practice.
Politics
Professionalism without Elitism
Types of democracy — Different ways to categorize democracies.
Unsung Heroes of Democracy Award
Making Democracy Work: Civic Traditions in Modern Italy
Institute for Policy Integrity