Models of Democracy

by David Held

The first edition of Models of Democracy has proved immensely popular among students and specialists world-wide. In a succinct but far-reaching analysis, David Held provides an introduction to central accounts of democracy from classical Greece to the present and a critical discussion of what democracy should mean today. The second edition has been extensively revised and updated to take account of the significant transformations in world politics during the past ten years. These changes are reflected in new chapters on the impact on democracy of the fall of the Soviet empire, the prospects of the democratic nation-state in the light of the intensification of regionalization and globalization, and the future of democracy in a more global era. The second edition also takes account of the considerable scholarship in political thought in the last decade, and of the challenges it poses to our understanding of the democratic heritage. This has led to a new chapter on republicanism and to thoroughly revised or updated chapters on classical Athens, liberalism, Marxism, the competitive elitism of Weber and Schumpeter, pluralism, and the post-war polarization of democratic ideals. Like its predecessor, the second edition of Models of Democracy combines lucid exposition and clarity of expression with careful scholarship and originality making it highly attractive both to students and to experts in the field. The second edition will prove essential reading for all those interested in politics, political theory and political philosophy.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Philosophy, Political Science, History, Academic, Sociology

392 pages, Paperback

First published December 4, 1986

Reviews

[Julius Lehtinen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tartuin tähän hieman nostalgiatripeissä aiemmin tänä vuonna kun valmistuminen kolkuttelee ovella. On suorastaan häkellyttävää miten eri silmin tätä lukee kuin pääsykoekeväänä, miten erilaisia asioita huomaa tekstistä ja kuinka ne osaa suhteuttaa viitteisiin ynnä muuhun opittuun aivan uudella tavalla ja laajemmin. Tuntui antoisalta teokselta aikanaan ja tuntuu siltä ehdottomasti vieläkin, suvereeni esitys vaikka varmasti puolueellinen jo olenkin.

[Shayan · Rating 5 out of 5]

کتاب خیلی خوبیه ولی سطح کتاب وقتی وارد دموکراسی های جدید میشه برای من بالا بود برای همین کامل نتونستم بخونم اما قطعا باز بهش برمیگردم .

[Thanyanuch Tantikul · Rating 4 out of 5]

เป็นหนังสือที่ให้รายละเอียดเกี่ยวกับพัฒนาการ กรอบความคิด และตัวแบบประชาธิปไตยที่ละเอียดมากกกกก ไม่น่าแปลกใจที่เป็นหนังสือต้องอ่านของคนเรียนรัฐศาสตร์ในหลายที่ แต่นี่อาจเป็นข้อด้อยหนึ่งของหนังสือคือมีความอ่านยากเพราะมีความเป็นวิชาการสูง อาจทำให้คนอ่านที่เพิ่งหันมาสนใจด้านนี้ยากจะติดตามอ่านต่อจนจบเล่ม (เพราะหนังสือหนาอยู่) แต่ในของวิชาการความรู้แล้ว นี่น่าจะเป็นหนังสือที่ประมวลประวัติศาสตร์ข้อถกเถียงเกี่ยวกับประชาธิปไตยได้ค่อนข้างครบถ้วน ทำให้เหมาะแก่การอ่านเพื่อค้นคว้าต่อยอดต่อไปจริงๆ ส่วนตัวอาจต้องอ่านซ้ำหลายๆ หนเพื่อจะได้เข้าใจความซับซ้อนของข้อถกเถียงโดยเฉพาะในช่วงกลางเล่มเป็นต้นไปได้มากกว่านี้ แต่ในแง่ความคิดรวบยอดนั้นยังไม่ถือว่าเกินจะทำความเข้าใจและคิดตามนัก

[Елвира · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very straightforward, concise and informative book, encompassing all the ranges of democracy models from Athenian republicanism up to today. Provides a good starting point for further reading.

[Asja Spaho · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible

[Moe Ye · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is adequate for those who want to get a better grasp on the different theories of democracy and their development throughout history. In a world plagued by the hegemony of “democracy = ‘free and fair’ elections”, it can help the reader to reconsider and deepen their understanding of democracy.

However, it should be noted that the author clearly has a liberal bias when presenting the recent and future models of democracy. As such, his focus is mainly on complementing the major aspects of liberal democracy with a reform here and there. Using an oxymoron like “liberal socialism” and claiming Stalinism as a part of Marxism without any explanation do not help the author’s case either. Also, during the discussion of deliberative democracy, his dismissal of the importance of participation when participation of oppressed groups is being systematically denied in reality, his insistence that well-informed deliberation is more valuable than participation with fixed preferences and his suggestion that people should listen to “experts” first before deliberation lead dangerously close to a vision of technocracy rather than democracy.

In short, good enough to grasp the basics but take a grain of salt when you get to the later parts.

[Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

يستعرض الكتاب آراء الفلاسفة من آرسطو حتى القرن الماضي حول الديموقراطية؛ أنواعها، تطوراتها و عيوبها. ثم ينتقل في النهاية لمسألة الدولة القومية، استقلالها وسيادة اﻷمة. يعتبر الكتاب دسما ويحوي الكثير من المعلومات بخصوص الديموقراطية، وتجد ضالتك إن كنت تريد معرفة المزيد بشأن هذا النظام السياسي اللذي تزعم أغلب الدول تطبيقه.

[Modisi · Rating 2 out of 5]

A decent overview of various models (or "theories") of democracy. While a useful guide to orient one's thinking on democracy, it is not exactly in-depth as I'd like - I would nowadays just read the different authors directly than just read about them.

[Maria Wulf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A must if your interested in democracy theory.

[Al · Rating 4 out of 5]

A partir do modelo de democracia clássica, Held explica a evolução das questões democráticas que direcionam as relações políticas e influenciam na capacidade de demanda de cada indivíduo.

[Marley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great in depth yet not too in depth coverage of the various models of democracy. A jumping off point for future papers when I need a place to start for papers that involves political theory

[Phillip · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a reasonably comprehensive survey of Western theories of democracy going back to ancient Greece. But it is basically a textbook, so it isn't an especially gripping read.

[Irine]

Pp. 13-35

[book lover]

blah blah blah communism. blah blah blah democracy. i dont really care. (im a bad polisci student)

[Mz · Rating 2 out of 5]

https://bookpress.gr/kritikes/idees/2...

[Aaron Crofut · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent overview of different notions of democracy. As to what democracy needs to be, Held's analysis is rather dull, seeing a need for more equality without having any idea how it could be created, but to his credit he makes no claim to having such an answer and openly admits various New Left theorists haven't figured it out, either. I'm not particularly bothered that some individuals are more influential in our democracy than others. That is always, always going to be the case. Getting literally everyone to have skin in the game in terms of owning productive property is asinine. Even if you could get it to everyone without collapsing everything, who seriously thinks the worst bum you see today would responsibly manage his or her share of however we're splitting economic power? The Iron Law of Oligarchy rules out the idea of equal influence in a democracy of more than a handful.

I wouldn't put this high on a recommendation list, but I wouldn't dissuade anyone from picking it up, either. Not that many people are rushing to pick it up....

[Eren Buğlalılar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sosyal demokrat bir yazar Antik Yunan'dan bugüne demokrasi teorilerini ele almış. Burjuva demokrasisinin nasıl yozlaştığını, bu yozlaşma karşısında nasıl çıkışlar arandığını gösteren ipuçları bulmak mümkün. Demokrasi giderek bir kabuk halini alıyor, küçük bir azınlığın dünyadaki zenginliğin çoğuna el koyduğu bir çağda demokrasi bu azınlığın kendi iktidarını meşrulaştırmak için kullandığı bir terime dönüşüyor yalnızca.

Sosyalizmdeki demokrasi deneyimlerine hiç atıf yok. Batı Akademilerinin sosyalizm sansürü bu kitapta da sürüyor. Sosyalizmden ancak hor görmek amacıyla bahsediliyor. Sanki Sovyetler'de, Çin'de, Güney Amerika'da hiç devrimler olmamış, demokratik cumhuriyetler kurulmamış, bunlar yerelden merkeze her alanda halk meclisleri kurmamış gibi. Sanki demokrasiyi tartışan sosyalist teorisyenler Marx ve Lenin'den ibaretmiş gibi.

[Raven]

buku yang almost impossible to understand...
kalau mau membacanya diperlukan:
- kamus Inggris indonesia yang lengkap
- 2 dosis konsentrasi tingkat tinggi
- segelas kopi hitam, bisa diganti dengan 2 gelas kopi susu atau cappucino
- deadline menjelang di depan mata atau ujian yang mendesak kita untuk menyelesaikannya
- kesabaran membaca berulangkali
- waktu secukupnya... paling tidak 5 menit tiap paragraf
- lebih baik lagi kalau ada Models of Democracy edisi bahasa Indonesia di sampingmu.. walau itu belum menjamin...

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather relevant blast from the past. One of those political theory books that DIDN'T set my teeth on edge during my university studies. Not exactly what you could describe as light reading...but certainly informative and fairly concise, considering its subject matter.

[Scott · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not my cup of tea!

[Ellenrogers]

enlightening overview of democratic theory

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

great intro to various democratic theories. wonderful for an undergraduate course.

[Willemf · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soms wat taai. Verder: informatief.

[Cong · Rating 4 out of 5]

i want to read it

[Leonardo]

Teoría de la Democracía. Cap.I y IV.