The Making and Unmaking of Democracy brings together a number of eminent authorities on democracy from the fields of political science and history to take on the most widely debated topics in international relations: the promotion of democracy. Spanning political thought from ancient Athens to contemporary Sub-Saharan Africa, the contributors attempt to develop an outline of how democracy develops (or erodes). Over the course of the discussion, a number of important factors emerge: Democratic transitions are always heavily shaped by the ideas and practises of past regimes (like tribal traditions in Africa), international political and economic pressure to liberalize (as in Asia), and current economic conditions (stability helps, inequality hinders). The quality of democracy in a democratic country is almost always improved by the elimination of religion as the centre of the state, by the move from democracy as protection of the individual from the state to democracy as enhancer of rights, and by the progression from a focus on the individual to a focus on the community.
Expansive and provocative for any student of democracy, The Making and Unmaking of Democracy is a volume to learn from, urge against, or expand upon.
Expansive and provocative for any student of democracy, The Making and Unmaking of Democracy is a volume to learn from, urge against, or expand upon.
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