Democracy's Dangers & Discontents: The Tyranny of the Majority from the Greeks to Obama (Hoover Institution Press Publication (Hardcover))

By democracy we usually mean a government comprising popular rule, individual human rights and freedom, and a free-market economy. Yet the flaws in traditional Athenian democracy can instruct us on the weaknesses of that first element of modern democracies shared with Athens: rule by all citizens equally. In Democracy's Dangers & Discontents, Bruce Thornton discusses those criticisms first aired by ancient critics of Athenian democracy, then traces the historical process by which the Republic of the founders has evolved into something sim. Read more... Abstract: By democracy we usually mean a government comprising popular rule, individual human rights and freedom, and a free-market economy. Yet the flaws in traditional Athenian democracy can instruct us on the weaknesses of that first element of modern democracies shared with Athens: rule by all citizens equally. In Democracy's Dangers & Discontents, Bruce Thornton discusses those criticisms first aired by ancient critics of Athenian democracy, then traces the historical process by which the Republic of the founders has evolved into something sim By democracy we usually mean a government comprising popular rule, individual human rights and freedom, and a free-market economy. Yet the flaws in traditional Athenian democracy can instruct us on the weaknesses of that first element of modern democracies shared with Athens: rule by all citizens equally. In __Democracy’s Dangers & Discontents__, Bruce Thornton discusses those criticisms first aired by ancient critics of Athenian democracy, then traces the historical process by which the Republic of the founders has evolved into something similar to ancient democracy, and finally argues for the relevance of those critiques to contemporary U.S. policy. He asserts that many of the problems we face today are the consequences of the increasing democratization of our government and that the flaws of democracy are unlikely to be corrected. He argues that these dangers and discontents do not have to end in soft despotism—that American democracy’s aptitude and strength can be recovered by restoring the limited government of the founders. By democracy we usually mean a government comprising popular rule, individual human rights and freedom, and a free-market economy. Yet the flaws in traditional Athenian democracy can instruct us on the weaknesses of that first element of modern democracies shared with Athens: rule by all citizens equally. In Democracy's Dangers & Discontents, Bruce Thornton discusses those criticisms first aired by ancient critics of Athenian democracy, then traces the historical process by which the Republic of the founders has evolved into something similar to ancient democracy, and finally argues for the relevance of those critiques to contemporary U.S. policy. He asserts that many of the problems we face today are the consequences of the increasing democratization of our government and that the flaws of democracy are unlikely to be corrected. He argues that these dangers and discontents do not have to end in soft despotism—that American democracy's aptitude and strength can be recovered by restoring the limited government of the founders. By Democracy We Usually Mean A Government Comprising Popular Rule, Individual Human Rights And Freedom, And A Free-market Economy. Yet The Flaws In Traditional Athenian Democracy Can Instruct Us On The Weaknesses Of That First Element Of Modern Democracies Shared With Athens: Rule By All Citizens Equally. In Democracy's Dangers & Discontents, Bruce Thornton Discusses Those Criticisms First Aired By Ancient Critics Of Athenian Democracy, Then Traces The Historical Process By Which The Republic Of The Founders Has Evolved Into Something Similar To Ancient Democracy, And Finally Argues For The Relevance Of Those Critiques To Contemporary American Policy. Foreword / Victor Davis Hanson -- Introduction: The Triumph Of Democracy And The Antidemocratic Tradition -- 1. The Monitory Failures Of Athenian Democracy -- 2. The Antidemocratic Tradition And The American Founding -- 3. Democracy And Leviathan -- Conclusion: Restoring Limited Government. Bruce S. Thornton. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 171-176) And Index. Content: Front Cover Title Copyright Dedication Contents Foreword Acknowledgments Introduction: The Triumph of Democracy and the Antidemocratic Tradition 1 The Monitory Failures of Athenian Democracy 2 The Antidemocratic Tradition and the American Founding 3 Democracy and Leviathan Conclusion: Restoring Limited Government Bibliography About the Author About the Hoover Institution's Working Group on the Role of Military History in Contemporary Conflict Index.