On Democracy

by Robert A. Dahl

Book Overview

Written by the preeminent democratic theorist of our time, this book explains the nature, value, and mechanics of democracy. In a new introduction to this Veritas edition, Ian Shapiro considers how... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0300084552
• ISBN13: 9780300084559
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Yale University Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.8"

Customer Reviews

Great Place To Begin A Study of Democracy

I read this as a precursor to reading other works regarding the challenges facing democracies. Dahl's book is written for the general reader, the beginner, someone unfamiliar with the subject, or a student who has been away from the subject for a while and wants a broad, relatively easy reading survey of the topics and issues facing democracies. It is written not for the scholar but for the informed lay person. It goes down easily in several metro commutes and even worked as bed time reading. It is also a nice calm look at issues that can become very heated in the press and media. A several page mention of the uniqueness of India, the world's most populous democracy, has also triggered my latent interest in following up on that topic as well.

Must-read for those interested in democracy!

The most concise, logical and authoritative text "On Democracy." If you are confused about democracy in theory and/or practice, this book can help you out! I really liked the way Dahl describes the origins of democratic thought and practices, the necessary conditions for an ideal democracy, the necessary institutions for an actual democracy, pro's and con's of parliamentary and presidential democracies and finally of increasing relevance, the double-edge sworded relationship between market capitalism and democracy.It's the perfect guide to bring together and give shape to your existing and confused ideas. The only criticism I can offer about the text is its obvious Western bias. Even though modern representative democracy was no doubt shaped in Europe and North America, the author either intentionally or out of ignorance did not give credit and/or mention to the existence of ancient democratic practices in the villages of India and other indigenous peoples of the world.Nevertheless, a fantastic, though rather dry read. It's money well spent.

Previous Reviewer

The previous reviewer obviously misunderstood Dahl's intent. This book is an introduction to democracy for the uninitiated, not a definitive philosophical statement. Expecting more from such a short volume is silly.That said, Dahl masterfully surveys major areas of scholarly consensus and debate, synthesizing a vast literature as no one else could. Frankly, this book is without peer. It is a beautifully written, succinct and compelling guide to democracy, required reading, if you will, for all those who cherish the gift of liberty.

"Aristotle's Politics" for everyone and for our times

Tremendous breadth and perspective on the major political dilemmas of our time from a wise scholar of the academy and citizen of the world. Everyone from experts to laypersons can enjoy, understand, and gain from Dahl's insights and characterizations regarding the fundamental political dilemmas of our time. Rarely, does such a combination of scholarly erudition and simple prose ever come along. I am greatful to Robert Dahl for contributing and elevating political discourse here and around the world with this book. Please read it if you are remotely interested in the politics of any country and the politics of the world. You can probably read it in one long sitting.On another level, this book will forever remain the textual staple of the "Introduction to Comparative Government Courses" I teach.This review does not mean that I agree with Dahl on all his positions it just means that I think his book is important.This book is a provocative, informative, prudent, understated, and insightful explanation of the world's post-Soviet political era. (In this respect, Dahl's book is much better than Francis Fukuyama's ridiculously overstated, criminially impractical, triumphantly-and-arrogantly-toned treatise on "the end of the history." And guess what? Dahl's book is much shorter.)

Worthy of My Bookcase

Simple and clean; a great review after years away from school. A great start for that child who has a paper due for school. This essay left me curious and wanting to learn more about the different forms of democracy used around the world. If there is one drawback, it is that some of the best further reading suggestions are no longer available in print, or were not published in the U. S.