The Shortest History of Democracy: 4,000 Years of Self-Government - A Retelling for Our Times (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9781615198962)

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.



Author: John Keane
ISBN-10: 1615198962
ISBN-13: 9781615198962
Publisher: Experiment
Language: English
Published: 09/06/2022
Pages: 224
Format: Paperback
Weight: 0.45lbs
Size: 7.70h x 5.10w x 0.70d

Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 06/27/2022
Booklist 10/15/2022 pg. 4
School Library Journal 11/01/2022 pg. 32