Can democracy work? : a short history of a radical idea, from ancient Athens to our world
Miller, Jim, 1947-2018
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Democracy today is widely regarded as an ideal form of government. Yet in practice it sometimes seems a sham, a political puppet show in which hidden elites pull all the strings. As trust in elected representatives around the world plunges, it is no wonder that democratic revolts have erupted - from Cairo to Kiev and beyond - in an effort to 'take back control'. In this urgent and lively history, James Miller reminds us that democracy has always generated tensions and contradictions. Through philosophical debates and violent uprisings, it has been contested, corrupted, and refined. In different times and different places - from ancient Athens to revolutionary France to post-war America - its meaning has shifted in surprising ways. For over two thousand years, the world has experimented with democracy. But can it really work - especially in complex modern societies?
Main title:
Author:
Edition:
First edition.
Imprint:
London : Oneworld, 2018.©2018.
Collation:
ix, 306 pages ; 24 cm.
Notes:
Includes bibliographical references (pages 283-286) and index.
Contents:
Prelude: What is democracy? -- A closed community of self-governing citizens -- A revolutionary assertion of popular sovereignty -- A commercial republic of free individuals -- A struggle for political and social equality -- A hall of mirrors -- Coda: Who are we?
ISBN:
9781786074027 (hardback)
Dewey class:
321.809
Language:
English
BRN:
369213
More Information:
| Location | Collection | Call number | Status/Desc |
|---|---|---|---|
| Penrith | Nonfiction | 321.809 CAN | Available |