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On Politics

Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
On Politics offers a definitive history of political thought and democracy, tracing their origins to the present. Alan Ryan examines how historians, philosophers, theologians, politicians, and revolutionaries have tackled the question of how humans should govern themselves. The book challenges assumptions about democracy, exploring whether it is truly the best system for organising political life and governance, especially in the uncertain world of today.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for readers interested in political philosophy, history of ideas, and current political affairs. It suits both scholars and general readers seeking a deep understanding of democracyโ€™s complexities and political theory.

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Deals with the answers that historians, philosophers, theologians, practising politicians and would-be revolutionaries have given to one question: how should human beings best govern themselves?

This is a book about the answers that historians, philosophers, theologians, practising politicians and would-be revolutionaries have given to one question- how should human beings best govern themselves?

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The definitive history of political thought and the meaning of democracy, from their earliest origins to the present day.

This is a book about the answers that historians, philosophers, theologians, practising politicians and would-be revolutionaries have given to one question: how should human beings best govern themselves?

Almost every modern government claims to be democratic; but is democracy really the best way of organising our political life? Can we manage our own affairs at all? Should we even try? In the west, do we actually live in democracies?

In this extraordinary book, On Politics, Alan Ryan engages with the great thinkers of the past to show us how vividly their ideas speak to us in today's uncertain world.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

On Politics is praised as a "magnificent piece of work" that remains clear and engaging even when discussing complex theories, according to Jeremy Waldron in the New York Review of Books. John Keane of the Financial Times calls it a "brave and clever book" full of astute observations and wise advice. Justin Champion from BBC History Magazine highlights its concise, lucid style and notes its ability to delight in both detail and broad conclusions.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780140285185

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 September 2013

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 49.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 779g

Pages: 1152

About the Author

ALAN RYAN was born in London in 1940 and taught for many years at Oxford, where he was a Fellow of New College and Reader in Politics. He was Professor of Politics at Princeton from 1988 to 1996, when he returned to Oxford to become Warden of New College and Professor of Political Theory until his retirement in 2009. His previous books include The Philosophy of John Stuart Mill, Bertrand Russell: A Political Life and John Dewey and the High Tide of American Liberalism. He is a Fellow of the British Academy.

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