First Democracy: The Challenge of an Ancient IdeaOxford University Press, 2006 M03 16 - 304 pages Americans have an unwavering faith in democracy and are ever eager to import it to nations around the world. But how democratic is our own "democracy"? If you can vote, if the majority rules, if you have elected representatives--does this automatically mean that you have a democracy? In this eye-opening look at an ideal that we all take for granted, classical scholar Paul Woodruff offers some surprising answers to these questions. Drawing on classical literature, philosophy, and history--with many intriguing passages from Sophocles, Aesop, and Plato, among others--Woodruff immerses us in the world of ancient Athens to uncover how the democratic impulse first came to life. The heart of the book isolates seven conditions that are the sine qua non of democracy: freedom from tyranny , harmony, the rule of law, natural equality, citizen wisdom, reasoning without knowledge, and general education. He concludes that a true democracy must be willing to invite everyone to join in government. It must respect the rule of law so strongly that even the government is not above the law. True democracy must be mature enough to accept changes that come from the people. And it must be willing to pay the price of education for thoughtful citizenship. If we learn anything from the story of Athens, Woodruff concludes, it should be this--never lose sight of the ideals of democracy. This compact, eloquent book illuminates these ideals and lights the way as we struggle to keep democracy alive at home and around the world. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 40
Page iv
... by the artist, James Henderson Collins. The copyright for these illustrations rests with the artist. 1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper dedication Izzy Stone leaned across the table and fixed me,
... by the artist, James Henderson Collins. The copyright for these illustrations rests with the artist. 1 3 5 7 9 8 6 4 2 Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper dedication Izzy Stone leaned across the table and fixed me,
Page 4
... United States, forgetting that this was written by men who feared government by the people and were trying to keep it at bay. The Constitution is a magnificent solution to the problems faced by the founders but it is not democratic in ...
... United States, forgetting that this was written by men who feared government by the people and were trying to keep it at bay. The Constitution is a magnificent solution to the problems faced by the founders but it is not democratic in ...
Page 8
... United States. Our democracy is partly the founders' invention, partly derived from Roman sources, and it owes little to the model of First Democracy. One of our main challenges now is to foster democracy among peoples with very ...
... United States. Our democracy is partly the founders' invention, partly derived from Roman sources, and it owes little to the model of First Democracy. One of our main challenges now is to foster democracy among peoples with very ...
Page 13
... United States, at least four out of five congressional districts are considered safe by the parties that have won landslides in the past, and expect to go on winning them for as far as anyone can see into the future. This result has ...
... United States, at least four out of five congressional districts are considered safe by the parties that have won landslides in the past, and expect to go on winning them for as far as anyone can see into the future. This result has ...
Page 16
... United States and Canada and in many other countries. Both of these points need further discussion. It is not obvious that democracy is a good thing, and it is not obvious that we have it. The bulk of this book concerns the ancient ...
... United States and Canada and in many other countries. Both of these points need further discussion. It is not obvious that democracy is a good thing, and it is not obvious that we have it. The bulk of this book concerns the ancient ...
Contents
3 | |
2 The Life and Death of Democracy | 21 |
3 Freedom from Tyranny And from Being a Tyrant | 61 |
4 Harmony | 81 |
5 The Rule of Law Nomos | 109 |
6 Natural Equality | 127 |
7 Citizen Wisdom | 145 |
8 Reasoning Without Knowledge | 171 |
Are Americans Ready for Democracy? | 211 |
Notes | 233 |
Dates | 258 |
Cast of Characters | 260 |
Guide to the Peloponnesian War | 263 |
Ancient Sources | 265 |
Scholarly Works Cited | 266 |
Index | 273 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
able Aeschylus ancient argument army Assembly Athenians Athens attack believe better bring called chapter citizens civil claim common court culture debate decisions defeat defend democracy democratic elected empire enemies equal expert failed failure fear follow force freedom gave give Greece Greek harmony human ideal ideas interests issues judgment justice keep killed kind king knew knowledge known lead leaders lines live majority means nature never Nicias ordinary party Pericles Persian philosophers Plato play poets political poor practice probably Protagoras question reason requires reverence rhetoric rich rule of law shared shows side slaves Socrates Sparta speak speakers speech Syracuse teach teachers thing Thirty thought Thucydides trial tyranny tyrant United vote wealth wisdom women wrong young