Democracy has gained currency as reflected by the people's wishes the world over to participate more actively in governance and to voice their views on issues that matter to them. People yearn to speak openly, give comments on public affairs, and criticise their government. However, how far have thinkers, practitioners, and even supporters of democracy succeeded in promoting and putting democratic principles into practice? Has democracy thrived or declined?

The book is a compilation of selected papers presented at the Third International Conference on Elections and Democracy (E&D) on April 19-20, 2017, in Kuching, Sarawak with the theme "Does Democracy Have a Future?" organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, UNIMAS. The seven papers selected in this book merit a closer look. They were written by academics and political observers based in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

This conference was made possible through the support of UNIMAS, Sarawak Convention Bureau, Better Nation Institute, and Society Empowerment and Economic Development of Sabah (SEEDS).