The Shortest History of Democracy

In an age of fake news and half-truths, the radical potential of democracy is more important than ever, as this nimble, illuminating history by a celebrated political theorist reveals.

From its beginnings in Syria-Mesopotamia—and not Athens—to its role in fomenting revolutionary fervour 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 this vigorous, illuminating history, acclaimed political thinker John Keane traces its byzantine history, from the age of assembly democracy in Athens, to European-inspired electoral democracy and the birth of representative government, to our age of monitory democracy. He gives new reasons why democracy is a precious global ideal. 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 with a local character in places such as Taiwan, India, Senegal, and South Africa.

In an age of crisis, we need the radical potential of democracy more than ever. Does it have a future, or will the demagogues and despots win? We are about to find out.

The Shortest History of Democracy takes the ideals, practices, triumphs, and failures of democracies and braids them together into something timely, lyrical, and fresh. For cynics and idealists alike, this couldn't have come at a better time." - Scott Ludlam

Contents

Part I: Assembly Democracy

Part II: Electoral Democracy

Part III: Monitory Democracy