Democracy

A World History

Nonfiction, Social & Cultural Studies, Political Science, Government, Democracy, History, World History
Cover of the book Democracy by Temma Kaplan, Oxford University Press
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Temma Kaplan ISBN: 9780199929962
Publisher: Oxford University Press Publication: November 7, 2014
Imprint: Oxford University Press Language: English
Author: Temma Kaplan
ISBN: 9780199929962
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Publication: November 7, 2014
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Language: English

In our time, the term "democracy" is frequently evoked to express aspirations for peace and social change or particular governmental systems that claim to benefit more than a select minority of the population. In this book, Temma Kaplan examines attempts from ancient Mesopotamia to the early twenty first century to create democratic governments that allow people to secure food, shelter, land, water, and peace for their mutual benefit. Since early times, proponents of direct or participatory democracy have come into conflict with the leaders of representative institutions that claim singular power over democracy. Patriots of one form or another have tried to reclaim the initiative to determine what democracy should mean and who should manage it. Frequently, people in small communities, trade unions, or repressed racial, religious, and political groups have marched forward using the language of democracy to carve a space for themselves and their ideas at the center of political life. Sometimes they have reinterpreted the old laws, and sometimes they have formulated new laws and institutions in order to gain greater opportunities to debate the major issues of their time. This book examines the development of the democratic ideal from ancient Rome to the Cortes in Spain, the philosophies of Guru Nanak and the Castilian patriot Juan de Padilla, and such inspirational personalities as the Polish trade unionist Anna Walentnyowicz and Burmese politician Aung San Suu Kyi. Though few democracies have sustained themselves for significant lengths of time, their emergence nearly everywhere on earth over thousands of years indicates their resilience despite the fragility of the democratic ideal.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

In our time, the term "democracy" is frequently evoked to express aspirations for peace and social change or particular governmental systems that claim to benefit more than a select minority of the population. In this book, Temma Kaplan examines attempts from ancient Mesopotamia to the early twenty first century to create democratic governments that allow people to secure food, shelter, land, water, and peace for their mutual benefit. Since early times, proponents of direct or participatory democracy have come into conflict with the leaders of representative institutions that claim singular power over democracy. Patriots of one form or another have tried to reclaim the initiative to determine what democracy should mean and who should manage it. Frequently, people in small communities, trade unions, or repressed racial, religious, and political groups have marched forward using the language of democracy to carve a space for themselves and their ideas at the center of political life. Sometimes they have reinterpreted the old laws, and sometimes they have formulated new laws and institutions in order to gain greater opportunities to debate the major issues of their time. This book examines the development of the democratic ideal from ancient Rome to the Cortes in Spain, the philosophies of Guru Nanak and the Castilian patriot Juan de Padilla, and such inspirational personalities as the Polish trade unionist Anna Walentnyowicz and Burmese politician Aung San Suu Kyi. Though few democracies have sustained themselves for significant lengths of time, their emergence nearly everywhere on earth over thousands of years indicates their resilience despite the fragility of the democratic ideal.

More books from Oxford University Press

Cover of the book Corporate E-Learning by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book Morals from Motives by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book Digital Dilemmas by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book The Crimean Tatars by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book The Theology of Jonathan Edwards by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book Beyond Origins by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book A Brief History of Mathematical Thought by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book The Great Endarkenment by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book The Despot's Accomplice by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book Horace: Oxford Bibliographies Online Research Guide by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book Mark Twain and Male Friendship by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book The Worlds of American Intellectual History by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book World War II at Sea by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book Guardians Of The Revolution : Iran And The World In The Age Of The Ayatollahs by Temma Kaplan
Cover of the book Places of Faith by Temma Kaplan
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy