Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
In an age of intense social and political polarization, the radical potential of democracy is more important than ever, as revealed in this illuminating history by a celebrated political theorist. From its beginnings in Syria-Mesopotamia--and Athens--to its role in fomenting revolutionary fervor in France and America, democracy has subverted fixed ways of deciding who should enjoy power and privilege, and why. For democracy encourages people to do something radical: to come together as equals, to determine their own lives and futures.
In The Shortest History of Democracy, acclaimed political thinker John Keane traces its byzantine history, from the age of assembly democracy in the Middle East and Greece, to European-inspired electoral democracy and the birth of representative government, to our age of "monitory democracy"--a helpful concept the author introduces to describe how democratic governments today are under constant media-driven public scrutiny (monitoring) and held accountable by watchdog organizations of every stripe. Keane calls this "the most complex and vibrant form of democracy yet," reaching far beyond just casting one's vote on election day. Democracy today is defined by the rapid growth of many new kinds of extra-governmental watchdog mechanisms that reach into every aspect of public and private life. Think investigative journalism, activism, strikes, election monitoring, climate action networks, public outcries against scandal and corruption.
As the world has come to be shaped by democracy, it has grown more worldly - American-style liberal democracy is giving way to regional varieties in places such as Taiwan, India, Senegal, and South Africa. Meanwhile, despotic regimes in Turkey, Russia, Hungary, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and China reject the promises of power-sharing democracy.
Keane gives new reasons why democracy is a precious global ideal, and how the voice and vote of the average citizen has multiplied through the proliferation of different power-checking outlets. In an age of crisis, he argues, we need the "radical potential of democracy" more than ever. Does democracy have a future, or will the demagogues and despots win? We are about to find out.
Synopsis
From The Shortest History series comes the complete history of democracy, its champions, and its detractors--from the assemblies of ancient Mesopotamia to present perils This tumultuous global story begins with democracy's radical core idea: We can collaborate, as equals, to determine our own lives and futures. John Keane traces how this concept emerged and evolved, from the earliest "assembly democracies" to European-style electoral democracy to our present system of "monitory democracy." Today, governments answer not only to voters on Election Day, but to intense public scrutiny (monitoring) every day. Keane calls this media-and communication-driven system "the most complex and vibrant form of democracy yet"--but it is not invulnerable.
We live in an age of political and environmental crisis, when despots in China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and elsewhere reject the promises of power-sharing. At this urgent moment, Keane's book mounts a new defense of a precious global ideal.
Synopsis
The sweeping story of democracy, from the assemblies of the ancient Middle East to present perils and shining lights across the globe This compact history unspools the tumultuous global story that began with democracy's radical core idea: We can collaborate, as equals, to determine our own futures. Acclaimed political thinker John Keane traces how this concept emerged and evolved, from the earliest "assembly democracies" in Syria-Mesopotamia to European-style "electoral democracy" and to our uncertain present.
Today, thanks to our always-on communication channels, governments answer not only to voters on Election Day but to intense scrutiny every day. This is "monitor democracy"--in Keane's view, the most complex and vibrant model yet--but it's not invulnerable. Monitory democracy comes with its own pathologies, and the new despotism wields powerful warning systems, from social media to election monitoring, against democracy itself.
At this urgent moment, when despots in countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia reject the promises of democratic power-sharing, Keane mounts a bold defense of a precious global ideal.
Synopsis
The full chronological sweep of democracy, from the assemblies of ancient Mesopotamia and Athens to present perils around the globe. The Shortest History books deliver thousands of years of history in one riveting fast-paced read. This compact history unspools the tumultuous global story that began with democracy's radical core idea: We can collaborate, as equals, to determine our own futures. Acclaimed political thinker John Keane traces how this concept emerged and evolved, from the earliest "assembly democracies" in Syria-Mesopotamia to European-style "electoral democracy" and to our uncertain present.
Today, thanks to our always-on communication channels, governments answer not only to voters on Election Day but to intense scrutiny every day. This is "monitor democracy"--in Keane's view, the most complex and vibrant model yet--but it's not invulnerable. Monitory democracy comes with its own pathologies, and the new despotism wields powerful warning systems, from social media to election monitoring, against democracy itself.
At this urgent moment, when despots in countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia reject the promises of democratic power-sharing, Keane mounts a bold defense of a precious global ideal.
Synopsis
This compact history unspools the tumultuous global story that began with democracy's radical core idea: We can collaborate, as equals, to determine our own futures. Acclaimed political thinker John Keane traces how this concept emerged and evolved, from the earliest "assembly democracies" in Syria-Mesopotamia to European-style "electoral democracy" and to our uncertain present.
Today, thanks to our always-on communication channels, governments answer not only to voters on Election Day but to intense scrutiny every day. This is "monitory democracy"--in Keane's view, the most complex and vibrant model yet--but it's not invulnerable. Monitory democracy comes with its own pathologies, and the new despotism wields powerful warning systems, from social media to election monitoring, against democracy itself.
At this urgent moment, when despots in countries such as China, Russia, Iran, and Saudi Arabia reject the promises of democratic power-sharing, Keane mounts a bold defense of a precious global ideal.