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The Good State
On the Principles of Democracy
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The Good State
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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?
As democracy shows signs of decay, how do we not only arrest its decline but build something better – a state which is democratic in the fullest sense?
As democracy shows signs of decay, how do we not only arrest its decline but build something better – a state which is democratic in the fullest sense?
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
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Description
The foundations upon which our democracies stand are inherently flawed, vulnerable to corrosion from within. What is the remedy?
A. C. Grayling makes the case for a clear, consistent, principled and written constitution, and sets out the reforms necessary – among them addressing the imbalance of power between government and Parliament, imposing fixed terms for MPs, introducing proportional representation and lowering the voting age to 16 (the age at which you can marry, gamble, join the army and must pay taxes if you work) – to ensure the intentions of such a constitution could not be subverted or ignored. As democracies around the world show signs of decay, the issue of what makes a good state, one that is democratic in the fullest sense of the word, could not be more important.
To take just one example: by the simplest of measures, neither Britain nor the United States can claim to be truly democratic. The most basic tenet of democracy is that no voice be louder than any other. Yet in our ‘first past the post’ electoral systems, a voter supporting a losing candidate is unrepresented, his or her voice unequal to one supporting a winning candidate, who frequently does not gain a majority of the votes cast. This is just one of a number of problems, all of them showing that democratic reform is a necessity in our contemporary 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?
The Good State by A. C. Grayling is lauded for its insightful exploration of democracy, examining its current form and proposing improvements. Reviews highlight its critical examination of political systems, with particular focus on challenging the traditional Westminster model.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781786079329
Publisher: Oneworld Publications
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 02 September 2021
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Oneworld Publications
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 19.0mm
Width: 129.0mm
Height: 198.0mm
Weight: 250g
Pages: 256
About the Author
A. C. Grayling is Professor of Philosophy and Master of the New College of the Humanities at Northeastern, London. Among his many books are Liberty in the Age of Terror, The God Argument, Democracy and Its Crisis and The History of Philosophy. He has been a regular contributor to The Times, Guardian, Financial Times, Independent on Sunday, Economist, New Statesman, Prospect and New European. He appears frequently on radio and TV, including Newsnight and CNN News. He lives in London.
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