Democracy and the History of Political Thought

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This volume provides a fresh perspective on current democratic theory and practice by recovering the rich evaluations of democracy in the history of political thought. Each author addresses a single thinkers reflections on the virtues and defects of democracy and the relationship between democracy and other regimes. Together, these essays explore the tensions within the democratic way of life that arise from an attachment to equality, liberty, citizenship, law, and the divine. Above all, this work aims at recovering a more complex understanding of democracy, connecting the perennial questions of political philosophy to the perplexities and crises of modern democracy.

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"Democracy and the History of Political Thought is a rich and extensive survey of the greats in the history of political thought on the topic of democracy. Offered as rival to the placid complacency of today's 'democratic theory, ' the chapters--written to honor Mary and David Nichols--convey serious authority and uncover old truths and hidden depths."

The authors of this volume have endeavored to show their authors and texts as friends and friendly to democracy. This is not a superficial friendship but like that of Solzhenitsyn who declared himself a friend of the West in his Harvard address. A friend speaks plainly, honoring the other with honesty, offering critiques because of belief in the other's ability and willingness to respond to reasoned comments from a concerned friend.... In their essays to this excellent work, the authors prove themselves friends to democracy and to their readers, contributors to "the most important task."

Author Bio

Stephen Patrick Sims is assistant professor of political science at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Stephen A. Block is senior lecturer in the department of political science at Baylor University, where he teaches political philosophy and Constitutional law at Baylor University.

Patrick N. Cain teaches political philosophy, politics and literature, and constitutional law in Lakehead University's Political Science department.