Autor(en)

Woodruff, Paul:

Verlag / Jahr

OXFORD UNIV PR., 2005.

Format / Einband

Half cloth with dustjacket. XI., 284 p., 4 maps.

Sprache

Englisch

Gewicht

ca. 383 g

ISBN

0195177185

EAN

9780195177183

Bestell-Nr

1168317

Bemerkungen

From the library of Prof. Wolfgang Haase, long-time editor of ANRW and the International Journal of the Classical Tradition (IJCT). - slightly scuffed otherwise in perfect condition - Americans have an unwavering faith in democracy and are ever eager to export it to nations around the world. But how democratic is our own “democracy”? If you can vote, if the majority rules, if you have elected representatives — does this automatically mean that you have a democracy? In this eye-opening look at an ideal that we all take for granted, classical scholar Paul Woodruff offers some surprising answers to these questions. -- Drawing on classical literature, philosophy, and history — with many intriguing passages from Sophocles, Aesop, and Plato, among others—Woodruff immerses us in the world of ancient Athens to uncover how the democratic impulse first came to life. The heart of the book isolates seven conditions that are the sine qua non of democracy: freedom from tyranny (including the tyranny of majority rule), harmony (the blending of different views), the rule of law, natural equality, citizen wisdom, reasoning without knowledge, and general education. He concludes that a true democracy must be willing to invite everyone to join in government. It must respect the rule of law so strongly that even the government is not above the law. True democracy must be mature enough to accept changes that come from the people. And it must be willing to pay the price of education for thoughtful citizenship Ancient Athens didn’t always live up to these ideals. Nor does modern America. -- If we learn anything from the story of Athens, Woodruff concludes, it should be this — never lose sight of the ideals of democracy This compact, eloquent book illuminates these ideals and lights the way as we struggle to keep democracy alive at home and around the world. -- Introduction: Democracy and Its Doubles -- The Life and Death of Democracy -- Freedom from Tyranny (And from Being a Tyrant) -- Harmony -- The Rule of Law (Notnos) -- Natural Equality -- Citizen Wisdom -- Reasoning Without Knowledge -- Education (Paideia) -- Afterword: Are Americans Ready for Democracy? -- Cast of Characters -- Guide to the Peloponnesian War. ISBN 9780195177183

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