8/23/2006
Dunn: Setting the People Free
John Dunn: Setting the People Free - The Story of Democracy
Paperback: 246 pages
Publisher: Atlantic Books 2005
ISBN: 1843542110
Professor Dunn from the University of Cambridge has written a good book on the evolution of a concept that in our times has become to be viewed as the only legitimate transmitter of political power.
On the surface, the story of democracy seems to be pretty straightforward -origins in ancient Greece, mid-life struggles against totalitarian fascists in WWII and communist empire in Cold War followed by it's global acceptance as the ultimate political legitimizer.
Still one has to accept Dunn's view that the democracy of today falls short from the original ideas of equality - real freedom. Freedom in the political sphere - voting in democratic elections, is not even close to the freedom we want. Freedom of wants ie. of global poverty and inequality is as unachievable than ever even the prospects look, for many post-communist countries at least, better.
If the sobering reading of the evolution of democracy is extremely interesting, it's implications for future democratization is even more so... What kind of democracy are we exporting and what kind of freedom do we wish unto others? ¶ 8/23/2006 04:22:00 ip.
John Dunn: Setting the People Free - The Story of DemocracyPaperback: 246 pages
Publisher: Atlantic Books 2005
ISBN: 1843542110
Professor Dunn from the University of Cambridge has written a good book on the evolution of a concept that in our times has become to be viewed as the only legitimate transmitter of political power.
On the surface, the story of democracy seems to be pretty straightforward -origins in ancient Greece, mid-life struggles against totalitarian fascists in WWII and communist empire in Cold War followed by it's global acceptance as the ultimate political legitimizer.
Still one has to accept Dunn's view that the democracy of today falls short from the original ideas of equality - real freedom. Freedom in the political sphere - voting in democratic elections, is not even close to the freedom we want. Freedom of wants ie. of global poverty and inequality is as unachievable than ever even the prospects look, for many post-communist countries at least, better.
If the sobering reading of the evolution of democracy is extremely interesting, it's implications for future democratization is even more so... What kind of democracy are we exporting and what kind of freedom do we wish unto others? ¶ 8/23/2006 04:22:00 ip.
