Wow! eBook
Democracy: Government of the People or Government of the Politicians? 0128th Edition
Author(s): José Nun (Author)
- Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield
- Publication Date: 4 Aug. 2003
- Edition: 0128th
- Language: English
- Print length: 128 pages
- ISBN-10: 0742520390
- ISBN-13: 9780742520394
Book Description
One hundred and fifty years ago, Abraham Lincoln stressed the pressing need for a new definition of “freedom.” Today, with 85 of some 190 countries claiming to be representative democracies, José Nun makes an equally compelling case for “democracy.” In emerging democracies throughout much of the developing world, the need is especially urgent, as nascent debates about democracy are modified by such descriptions as delegative, transitional, incomplete, low-intensity, relative, uncertain, or even authoritarian. In accessible and engaging style, Nun provides a comprehensive analysis of the theory and practice of democracy from ancient Greece to contemporary Latin America. The author’s authoritative historical and comparative discussion of democracy is combined with his own evaluation of the conditions and possibilities for the development of genuinely democratic societies in our time, in Latin America and throughout the world. The author identifies the preconditions of a democratic regime, the links between citizenship construction and social rights, the centrality of work for the promotion of equality and freedom, and the current democratic deficits both in core and peripheral countries. All readers will benefit from Nun’s insightful distinction between two visions of democracy―government of the people or government of the politicians―and its profound consequences.
Editorial Reviews
Review
Nun provides a comprehensive discussion of the theory and practice of democracy from ancient Greece to contemporary Latin America. This historical and comparative discussion of democracy is combined with his own analysis of the conditions and possibilities for the development of genuinely democratic societies in our epoch, in Latin America and throughout the world. — Richard Harris, California State University, Monterey Bay
Clearly written and concise. This book should stimulate discussion and debate as a supplemental text in the classroom. Recommended. ―
CHOICEMakes a number of provocative and interesting points of a philosophical nature while advocating essentially social democratic values. The work is very well worth reading….He presents a spirited argument. ―
Latin America Research ReviewA major original work on democratic theory and the comparative study of new democracies that will be of great interest to scholars. In addition, its clear, readable style will make it appealing to students. — Guillermo A. O’Donnell, University of Notre Dame
About the Author
One of Latin America’s most noted scholars, José Nun is senior researcher at the National Council of Technical and Scientific Investigation (CONICET) and director of the Institute of Advanced Social Sciences, the National University of General San Martín, Buenos Aires.
