Democracy: A Reader

Democracy is an essential collection of source texts by major historical figures on the value of democracy, key concepts and practices, theoretical perspectives, and contemporary challenges. The volume includes reflections on democracy by Machiavelli, Hobbes, Madison, Mill, Lincoln, and Paine. It features Rousseau and Kant on freedom and autonomy; Locke on equality; Burke and Bakunin on representation; Wollheim and Tocqueville on majority rule; and Crick on citizenship. Conservative, Marxist, socialist, and feminist critiques are followed by new sections on the market, civil society, participation, the Internet, nationalism, religion, multiculturalism, cosmopolitan democracy, and violence. Perfect for course use, the book provides an unparalleled introduction to standard articulations of democracy and its multiple manifestations in our interconnected, conflict-ridden world. Read more