Democracy
A History of Ideas
- Publisher
- UBC Press
- Initial publish date
- Oct 2007
- Subjects
- Democracy, History & Theory, Political
-
eBook
- ISBN
- 9780774852470
- Publish Date
- Oct 2007
Library Ordering Options
Description
What is democracy? Is it the movement toward united self-government in which equality is our highest value? Or is it about preserving the freedom of individuals? In Democracy: A History of Ideas, Boris DeWiel argues that neither of these popular definitions is correct. Inspired by Isaiah Berlin, he describes democracy as a contest of values. Equality and liberty, like justice and fairness, are among our ultimate ideals, but no single value is supreme. Because they conflict with each other, democracy is an endless battle of true yet contrary ideals.
About the author
Contributor Notes
Boris DeWiel teaches in the Department of Political Science at the University of Northern British Columbia.