The Shortest History of Democracy

In an age of intense social and political polarization, the radical potential of democracy is more important than ever, as revealed in this illuminating history by a celebrated political theorist. From its beginnings in Syria-Mesopotamia—and Athens—to its role in fomenting revolutionary fervor in France and America, democracy has subverted fixed ways of deciding who should enjoy power and privilege, and why. For democracy encourages people to do something radical: to come together as equals, to determine their own lives and futures. In The Shortest History of Democracy, acclaimed political thinker John Keane traces its byzantine history, from the age of assembly democracy in the Middle East and Greece, to European-inspired electoral democracy and the birth of representative government, to our age of “monitory democracy”—a helpful concept the author introduces to describe how democratic governments today are under constant media-driven public scrutiny (monitoring) and held accountable by watchdog organizations of every stripe. Keane calls this “the most complex and vibrant form of democracy yet,” reaching far beyond just casting one’s vote on election day. Democracy today is defined by the rapid growth of many new kinds of extra-governmental watchdog mechanisms that reach into every aspect of public and private life. Think investigative journalism, activism, strikes, election monitoring, climate action networks, public outcries against scandal and corruption. As the world has come to be shaped by democracy, it has grown more worldly - American-style liberal democracy is giving way to regional varieties in places such as Taiwan, India, Senegal, and South Africa. Meanwhile, despotic regimes in Turkey, Russia, Hungary, the United Arab Emirates, Iran, and China reject the promises of power-sharing democracy. Keane gives new reasons why democracy is a precious global ideal, and how the voice and vote of the average citizen has multiplied through the proliferation of different power-checking outlets. In an age of crisis, he argues, we need the “radical potential of democracy” more than ever. Does democracy have a future, or will the demagogues and despots win. We are about to find out.