The End of Kings: A History of Republics and Republicans

by William R. Everdell

Book Overview

Written in clear, lively prose, The End of Kings traces the history of republican governments and the key figures that are united by the simple republican maxim: No man shall rule alone. Breathtaking in its scope, Everdell's book moves from the Hebrew Bible, Solon's Athens and Brutus's Rome to the impeachment trial of Andrew Johnson and the Watergate proceedings during which Nixon resigned. Along the way, he carefully builds a definition...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0226224821
• ISBN13: 9780226224824
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: University of Chicago Press
• Length: 422 Pages
• Weight: 1.30 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.2" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

An indispensable book

Without "The End of Kings," which I read around 1990, I would have been lost in my understanding of the single most important concept in American politics. Mr. Everdell tells us, in clear understandable language, with many examples from history, what is it precisely that makes a republic a republic. It is not "representative government," as Madison--in an unfortunate lapse which has distorted all discussions about this topic ever since--once wrote. As Mr. Everdell points out, the model of all republics, the Roman republic, did not have representative institutions; all the citizens were members of the People's Assembly (though only a small fraction showed up at any one time). The way to understand a republic is, first, that it is not a monarchy. Monarchy means rule by one. Therefore republic means rule by more than one. It means that sovereign power instead of being vested in one center of power--a king, a caudillo, a Jacobin-style National Assembly--is distributed among several centers of power, each of which limits the others. Thus the Roman republic had the Senate in which sat the leading men of the state, and the People's Assembly, in which all citizens were members, and which limited the power of the Senate, and a Tribune elected by the People's Assembly whose person was inviolable, and a host of other bodies and offices. In the United States, the greatest modern republic, or, rather, federal republic, we have the three branches of government exercising different powers and balancing each other, as well as the separation of powers between the federal government and the state governments. Of course over the last century much of our republican character has been lost as power has become more and more consolidated and all three branches of the federal government increasingly operate outside their constitutional limits. The End of Kings gives us the best insight into what we were and what we are supposed to be, and what we have lost. In any case, it is republican government--separation of powers with checks and balances preventing power from being concentrated in any one body or person--that is the key to liberty. Democracy, as Mr. Everdell's discussion illuminates, is not the key to liberty and in fact can destroy liberty. All that democracy means is that the people rule. The concept of democracy does not contain within itself any notion of separation of powers and limitation of powers. You could have a one-body legislature, elected by a majority of the people, exercising dictatorial power over a minority, and that would be a democracy. In a Shi'ite majority country such as Iraq, you could have a democratically elected government enforcing the totalitarian sharia law. So our cult of democracy, which now controls American political discourse, is a terrible and tragic mistake. Our ideal should not be democracy but republicanism, or, if you like, democratic republicanism. Democratic elections are an important part of republ

woken me up

Masterful, excellent history and analysis of republican (with a small r!) government. Makes clear exactly why "democratic" gov't and "republican" gov't are not the same, a point even scholars are missing. Opens my eyes and mind to what this country is about and exactly what we have been, are, and should be fighting to maintain. Makes me realize that the biggest danger of our modern "pop" culture is precisely its profound ignorance of this point. Highly recommended for all who are now confused about the meaning and worth of America. Read it, wake up, and start reading more about republican government, and maybe even get involved. Otherwise, we'll soon be in deep trouble as a culture, as far as I can see.

Very Interesting

After reading this book, you will have an entirely new appreciation for the republican system. Note that "republican" does not refer to the political party. Everdell explains why a republic is the most just and fit governmental system for humanity. He also relates the traits of republicanism and signs of its demise. It's definitely worthwhile reading, but be aware that the language is very dense. You really need to be interested in the topic to get through it.