Democracy:A Very Short Introduction
Democracy is the political idea that is used and abused the most. Today, nearly every regime makes the claim to be democratic, yet not all so-called democracies permit free politics, and free politics predated democratic franchises by a very long shot. This book provides a concise history of democracy's ideology and application, including its development from ancient Greece and Rome through the American, French, and Russian revolutions as well as its current applications and practises.
It contends that while democracy is essential to effective government, it is not always sufficient and that in some cases, democratic claims should be restrained in favour of the rule of law and human rights. A NOTE ON THE SERIES: Numerous books covering practically every subject are available in Oxford University Press's Very Short Introductions series. These little books are the ideal approach to advance quickly in a new field. Facts, analysis, perspective, fresh thinking, and enthusiasm are all combined by our skilled authors to make complex and exciting subjects easy to read.