We Canadians are rapidly approaching an election about which there is a considerable degree of cynicism, while in the Middle East and Africa, citizens are giving their lives in a struggle to achieve democracy. It seems only right, given this context, that we engage the subject of our faltering democracy in this issue of A Human Future. We are honoured that Ursula Franklin, revered Canadian humanitarian, thought leader, and Quaker activist for social justice, has shared her insights with us. – Beth Porter, ed.