The definitive history of political thought and the meaning of democracy, from their earliest origins to the present day

This is a book about the answers that historians, philosophers, theologians, practising politicians and would-be revolutionaries have given to one question- how should human beings best govern themselves?

Almost every modern government claims to be democratic; but is democracy really the best way of organising our political life? Can we manage our own affairs at all? Should we even try? In the west, do we actually live in democracies? In this extraordinary book Alan Ryan engages with the great thinkers of the past to show us how vividly their ideas speak to us in today’s uncertain world.