Of The People, By The People: A New History of Democracy - Couverture rigide

Osborne, Roger

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 0224078550 ISBN 13 : 9780224078559

Editeur : Bodley Head, 2011

Synopsis

Of the People, by the People Tells the stories of the different democracies that have come into existence during the past two and half millennia. From Athens to Rhaetia, Jamestown to Delhi, and Putney to Pretoria, this book shows how democratic systems are always a reflection of culture and history of their birthplaces, and come about through seizing fleeting opportunities. Full description

A propos du livre

Quatrième de couverture

‘There is much to admire in this book ...to retell the history of democracy so vividly is no mean feat. His work serves as an important reminder that the price of democratic freedom is eternal vigilance’
Edward Vallance, BBC History Magazine

‘Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.’

Churchill had more reason than most to rue the power of democracy, having been thrown out of office after leading Britain to victory in 1945. Democracy, when viewed from above, has always been a fickle master; from below it is a powerful but fragile friend.

Most books on democracy focus on political theory and analysis, in a futile attempt to define democracy. Of The People, By The People takes the opposite approach, telling the stories of the different democracies that have come into existence during the past two-and-a-half millennia.

From Athens to Rhaetia, Jamestown to Delhi, Putney to Pretoria, Roger Osborne shows how democratic systems are always a reflection of the culture and history of their birthplaces, and come about through seizing fleeting opportunities. Democracy can only be understood through the fascinating and inspiring stories of the peoples who fought to bring it about.

The book raises profound questions about whether democracy is the engine of prosperity or a luxury that only the prosperous can afford; and whether its assumption that good government arises from mass participation is an illusion.

Présentation de l'éditeur

'Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.' Churchill had more reason than most to rue the power of democracy, having been thrown out of office after leading Britain to victory in 1945. Democracy, when viewed from above, has always been a fickle master; from below it is a powerful but fragile friend.

* Of The People, By The People tells the stories of the different democracies that have come into existence during the past two and half millennia, from Athens to Rhaetia, Jamestown to Delhi, and Putney to Pretoria. Democratic systems are always a reflection of the culture and history of their birthplaces, and can only be understood through the fascinating and inspiring stories of the peoples who fought to bring them about.

* These individual histories show that real and lasting democracy always arises from beneath, and needs a process of never-ending communal creativity to sustain itself.

* Osborne raises profound questions about whether democracy is the engine of prosperity, or a luxury that only the prosperous can afford; and whether its assumption that good government arises from mass participation is an illusion.

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: Bodley Head
• Date d'édition: 2011
• ISBN 10: 0224078550
• ISBN 13: 9780224078559
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 336