What explains why some countries become democratic and others do not? Building on a wealth of studies on this question, this book looks to the distal causes – the deep roots – of democratic regimes. It argues that natural harbors, as catalysts of economic and social exchange, are one such factor. Blessed with an abundance of harbors, Europe developed an early form of democracy. As Europeans spread around the globe during an age of colonization and conquest, they brought this form of governance with them and implemented it to the extent that it allowed Europeans – and only Europeans – to hold power in colonial lands. Chapter 1 introduces the arguments around these two factors, and sets out the book’s methodological approach. It concludes with definitions of key terms and a brief outline of the subsequent chapters.