Democracy Ancient and Modern

by M. I. Finley

Overview

This elegant and provocative book is perhaps more important now than when it was first published. The three essays that comprised the first edition developed a remarkable discourse between ancient Greek and modern conceptions of democracy, in the belief that each society could help us understand the other. To the original three essays, Sir M. I. Finley has added two that clarify and elaborate the thinking of the first edition.

The two new essays, "Athenian Dialogues" and "Censorship in Classical Antiquity" combine with "Leaders and Followers," "Democracy, Consensus, and the National Interest," "Socrates and After" to make this book an unusual inquiry. Few contemporary writers are able to bring to the subject the depth of learning and the persuasive power of language that Sir M. I. Finley brings.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781978802322
Publisher:	Rutgers University Press
Publication date:	11/05/2018
Series:	Mason Welch Gross Lecture Series
Edition description:	New edition
Pages:	200
Product dimensions:	5.10(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range:	16 Years

About the Author

A Master of Darwin College, Cambridge, from 1976 to 1982, M.I. Finley has since that time held the titles of Honorable Fellow at Darwin College and Honorable Doctor of Humanities and Literature at City College of New York. The essays in the first edition of this book were presented as part of the Mason Welch Gross Lectureship, established in honor of Rutgers University’s President Emeritus.

Table of Contents

Dedication
Preface                                                                                                             
Preface to the First Edition                                                                              
1. Leaders and Followers                                                                                     
2. Athenian Demagogues                                                                                     
3. Democracy, Consensus and the National Interest                                           
4. Socrates and After                                                                                           
5. Censorship in Classical Antiquity                                                                    
Notes
About the Author
Other Books by M. I. Finley        
Index

Editorial Reviews

"Strongly recommended to students."

author of The Greek Historians of the West - Lionel Pearson

"There is much here to think about."

The American Historical Review

"A stylish, stimulating, and enjoyable author."

The British Journal of Sociology

"Brilliant."

author of Bad Lies and Promoting Active Learning - Thomas B. Jones

"The usefulness of Finley's discussion of these issues is beyond question."

author of Discourses of Power: From Hobbes to Foucault - Barry Hindess

"Highly stimulating and instructive reading for all whose interests lie in history, economics, sociology and political theory and institutions... Professor Finley is a master of many disciplines."

author of Diplomacy in Ancient Greece - D. J. Mosley

"Given the current crisis in the experience of twenty-first century democracies, the republication of Finley’s landmark work on the distinctive grounding principles of Athenian versus modern democracies could not be more timely."

Caroline Robbins Professor of Political Science and Women's Studies - Arlene Saxonhouse

"It is to be hoped that this small book, which testifies to the erudition, the critical spirit and the open-mindedness of its author, will attract the attention not only of historians, but also of politicians and political theorists."

author of Political Thought in Hellenistic Times - G. J. D. Aalders

"This is one of the stimulating books through which M. I. Finley transformed approaches to ancient history in the anglophone world, rejecting arid antiquarianism and insisting on dialogue between the ancient world and the modern."

honorary professor and emeritus professor, Durham University - P. J. Rhodes

"An extremely stimulating series of essays, demonstrating anew the continued vitality and relevance of the Athenian experience to modern political problems."

Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science

"Given the current crisis in the experience of twenty-first century democracies, the republication of Finley’s landmark work on the distinctive grounding principles of Athenian versus modern democracies could not be more timely."

From the Publisher