Democracy: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions) - Softcover

Crick, Bernard

Softcover

ISBN 10: 019280250X ISBN 13: 9780192802507

Publisher: OUP Oxford, 2002

Synopsis

No political concept is more used, and misused, than that of democracy. Nearly every regime today claims to be democratic, but not all 'democracies' allow free politics, and free politics existed long before democratic franchises.

This book is a short account of the history of the doctrine and practice of democracy, from ancient Greece and Rome through the American, French, and Russian revolutions, and of the usages and practices associated with it in the modern world. It argues that democracy is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for good government, and that ideas of the rule of law, and of human rights, should in some situations limit democratic claims.

ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

About this title

About the Author

Bernard Crick, formerly Professor of Politics, Birkbeck College, London. He was author of In Defence of Politics - hailed as a modern classic and in print since 1962. He is also author of the prize-winning George Orwell: A Life and of Essays on Citizenship, and, Crossing Borders. He was adviser on citizenship to the Department of Education from 1998 to 2001.

Edition details

• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Publication date: 2002
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 019280250X
• ISBN 13: 9780192802507
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 144