THE SHORTEST HISTORY OF DEMOCRACY BY JOHN KEANE

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BOOK NAME : The Shortest History of Democracy

AUTHOR NAME : John Keane

PUBLISHER : Panmacmillan India

GENRE : Historical non-fiction

BOOK BUY LINK : https://www.amazon.in/Shortest-History-Democracy-John-Keane/dp/9390742862


History is a subject that fascinates me like no other and this book was such a delight.

Contrary to the popular belief that democracy started its roots in Athens, the author has written facts from history that date back democracy to 2500 BCE in Syria-Mesopotamia. Since then, democracy has had its ups and downs with the change of rulers worldwide. 


The book is divided into three parts:  assembly democracy, electoral democracy and monitory democracy, and it beautifully explains each in simple terms. 



I was intrigued by the timeline of democratic rule from its start in Syria- Mesopotamia to being ridiculed by fascists, tyrants and military rulers. Democracy's survival through two great world wars and how humans transformed from treating the ruler as God to becoming the principle of ‘the people’ has been narrated interestingly. 


The book enlightens the struggle of women, blacks and enslaved people to get their rights to vote and be included as a part of society. It breaks the widespread belief that Islamic nations do not have a role in democracy by explaining the birth of the 'wakil' concept in Islam and how it contributed to democracy's advent. I loved how the book covered every part of the world, like the velvet revolution in Czechoslovakia, the Nazi's rule in Germany, Senegal’s 'demokaraasi', the largest democratic nation of India, UK's OPAL project, China, Taiwan, the US and much more.


Read this book if you have ever wondered how today's governance system came into place and how democratic rule fluctuated with time. The author has included the writings and sayings of many writers, artists, philosophers and reformers who are not commonly spoken about in history classes. The book ends with a powerful note on the positive side of democracy and how it is being abused by leaders worldwide, and how it can be stopped further. A must-read book for history lovers and political science readers. A short read with a vast array of details made available in one place.


MY REVIEW: 5/5

#penbooksandscalpel

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