Of The People, By The People
Of The People, By The People
Summary
Tells the stories of the different democracies that have come into existence during the past two and half millennia. From Athens to Rhaetia, Jamestown to Delhi, and Putney to Pretoria, this book shows how democratic systems are always a reflection of culture and history of their birthplaces, and come about through seizing fleeting opportunities.
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Of The People, By The People by Roger Osborne
'Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.' Churchill had more reason than most to rue the power of democracy, having been thrown out of office after leading Britain to victory in 1945. Democracy, when viewed from above, has always been a fickle master; from below it is a powerful but fragile friend. * Of The People, By The People tells the stories of the different democracies that have come into existence during the past two and half millennia, from Athens to Rhaetia, Jamestown to Delhi, and Putney to Pretoria. Democratic systems are always a reflection of the culture and history of their birthplaces, and can only be understood through the fascinating and inspiring stories of the peoples who fought to bring them about. * These individual histories show that real and lasting democracy always arises from beneath, and needs a process of never-ending communal creativity to sustain itself. * Osborne raises profound questions about whether democracy is the engine of prosperity, or a luxury that only the prosperous can afford; and whether its assumption that good government arises from mass participation is an illusion.There is much to admire in this book..to retell the history of democracy so vividly is no mean feat. His work serves as an important reminder that the price of democratic freedom is eternal vigilance -- Edward Vallance * BBC History Magazine *
Roger Osborne's work has provided a range of innovative insights into our views of the past, and how they inform the present. His previous books include The Floating Egg: Episodes in the Making of Geology, The Deprat Affair: Ambition, Revenge and Deceit in French Indo-China, The Dreamer of the Calle San Salvador: Visions of Sedition and Sacrilege in Sixteenth-Century Spain, Civilization: A New History of the Western World and Of The People, By The People, A New History of Democracy.
Roger Osborne is also a professional playwright. His plays include The Art Of Persuasion, first performed in 2011 and Laughton, staged in 2013 He lives in Scarborough.
| SKU | Unavailable |
| ISBN 13 | 9780224078559 |
| ISBN 10 | 0224078550 |
| Title | Of The People, By The People |
| Author | Roger Osborne |
| Condition | Unavailable |
| Binding Type | Hardback |
| Publisher | Vintage Publishing |
| Year published | 2011-11-17 |
| Number of pages | 336 |
| Cover note | Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary. |
| Note | Unavailable |