Models of Democracy - Hardcover

Held, David

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0745617484 ISBN 13: 9780745617480

Publisher: Polity Press, 1996

Synopsis

The first edition of Models of Democracy has proved immensely popular among students and specialists world–wide. In a succinct but far–reaching analysis, David Held provides an introduction to central accounts of democracy from classical Greece to the present and a critical discussion of what democracy should mean today.

The second edition has been extensively revised and updated to take account of the significant transformations in world politics during the past ten years. These changes are reflected in new chapters on the impact on democracy of the fall of the Soviet empire, the prospects of the democratic nation–state in the light of the intensification of regionalization and globalization, and the future of democracy in a more global era.

The second edition also takes account of the considerable scholarship in political thought in the last decade, and of the challenges it poses to our understanding of the democratic heritage. This has led to a new chapter on republicanism and to thoroughly revised or updated chapters on classical Athens, liberalism, Marxism, the competitive elitism of Weber and Schumpeter, pluralism, and the post–war polarization of democratic ideals.

Like its predecessor, the second edition of Models of Democracy combines lucid exposition and clarity of expression with careful scholarship and originality making it highly attractive both to students and to experts in the field. The second edition will prove essential reading for all those interested in politics, political theory and political philosophy.

About this title

Review

′A wonderful elaboration of the first edition. Models provides a comprehensive introduction to democratic thought and practice while developing novel arguments about the nature and possibilities of democracy in the contemporary world.′ Jane Mansbridge, Harvard University

′With its deepening of historical focus, and its authoritative treatment of the novel democratic problems and opportunities presented by the collapse of the Soviet Empire and the increasing globalization of politics, this new edition should deservedly hold its place as the most accessible and comprehensive introduction to democracy available today.′ David Beetham, University of Leeds

′The first edition of this book showed that it was a classic of its kind, the second edition confirms its indispensability.′ Raymond Plant, St Catherine′s College, Oxford

About the Author

David Held is Graham Wallas Professor of Political Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science.

Edition details

• Publisher: Polity Press
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0745617484
• ISBN 13: 9780745617480
• Binding: Hardcover
• Language: English
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 408