19.1 Introduction: Democracy and Democratization 19.2 Process of DemocratIzatIon: Different Waves19.3 Stages in the Process of Democratization19.4 Democratic Consolidation: Different Parameters19.5 Democratization: Some Insights from Postconflict, Postcolonial, Postcommunist and Postauthoritarian Societies19.6 Are We Facing Democratic Recession?19.7 Conclusion