Democracy at the Crossroads: Princes, Peasants, Poets, and Presidents in the Struggle for (and against) the Rule of Law (Speaker's Corner)

Some were warriors. Some were lawyers, some historians, some moved by an inner passion so great that they appeared to move against kingly power like moths to the flame, risking, and often giving, their lives. They wrote, cajoled, and sometimes cried out for all to hear that the law is above the king. This fascinating treatise examines how Western ideals of democracy have evolved and emerged through the ages and across continents. Craig S. Barnes shares the inspiring stories of a diverse group of men and women (whether they be leaders, poets, or peasants) who pioneered due process, habeas corpus, and the balance of powers. Exploring the premise that "democracy is not a given in social evolution," Barnes contrasts the heroic figures of history to those in recent administrations who he argues have ignored the precious nature of our inheritance and have placed democracy at risk. Democracy at the Crossroads is a stirring reminder of the fragility of our rule of law and the need for vigilant protection of our hard-won liberties. Craig S. Barnes began his career as a public interest lawyer dealing with women's rights and the environment. He was also active in politics and civil rights, running for Congress in Denver as a peace candidate in 1970. He is the author of Growing Up True and In Search of the Lost Feminine . Some were warriors. Some were lawyers, some historians, some moved by an inner passion so great that they appeared to move against kingly power like moths to the flame, risking, and often giving, their lives. They wrote, cajoled, and sometimes cried out for all to hear that the law is above the king.This fascinating treatise examines how Western ideals of democracy have evolved and emerged through the ages and across continents. Craig S. Barnes shares the inspiring stories of a diverse group of men and women (whether they be leaders, poets, or peasants) who pioneered due process, habeas corpus, and the balance of powers. Exploring the premise that "democracy is not a given in social evolution," Barnes contrasts the heroic figures of history to those in recent administrations who he argues have ignored the precious nature of our inheritance and have placed democracy at risk. Democracy at the Crossroads is a stirring reminder of the fragility of our rule of law and the need for vigilant protection of our hard-won liberties.Craig S. Barnes began his career as a public interest lawyer dealing with women's rights and the environment. He was also active in politics and civil rights, running for Congress in Denver as a peace candidate in 1970. He is the author of Growing Up True and In Search of the Lost Feminine. --Provided by publisher This fascinating and eye-opening treatise examines how Western ideals of democracy have emerged and evolved through the ages and across continents. Craig S. Barnes shares the inspiring stories of a diverse group of men and women-whether they be parliamentarians, poets, or peasants-who pioneered due process, habeas corpus, and the balance of powers. Exploring the premise that democracy is not a given in social evolution, Barnes contrasts the heroic figures of history to those in recent administrations whom he argues have ignored or been ignorant of the precious nature of our inheritance and have now placed democracy at risk. Democracy at the Crossroads warns that we may be straying too close to the fields of feudalism. This is a stirring reminder of the fragility of our rule of law and the need for vigilant protection of our hard-won liberties A pocket history of the rule of law Rebirth of the feudal mind in the United States American values deeper than capitalism, deeper than law An age ends. An eye-opening treatise on the international foundations of our liberty and its current challenges