Democracy is not an easy idea, the practice of democracy even more difficult. Theories of Democracy is an important, sophisticated, and smart collection of readings that recalls these simple truths in instructive and often provocative ways. Moving from the origins of democratic aspirations in early liberal and republican theories, through a helpful organization of contemporary theories of democracy, to critiques that seek to extend democracy's reach, Terchek and Conte have made clear that the evolution of democracy is an ongoing project. Concise introductions to each set of readings alert the reader to the choices that we confront in trying to match our democratic hopes to political possibilities. Theories of Democracy demonstrates that democratic values surface in a wide and diverse set of political writings. It also encourages the reader to reflect upon their own position in these debates. This makes the work useful for teaching both undergraduate and graduate students. Democracy is hard work that begins with an appreciation of its complexity. That is a lesson not only for students but for all friends of democracy. -- Alfonso J. Damico, University of Iowa
Democracy is a global catchword today-but its meaning is contested and ambivalent. This volume provides a lucid overview of major theories of democracy, including 'protective,' 'pluralist,' and 'participatory' versions, together with critical evaluations from inside and outside 'the West.' A helpful and much needed text. -- Fred Dallmayr, University of Notre Dame
Terchek and Conte have put together an excellent work, touching all the bases and then some. Their editorial work and commentary are superb. They have established a standard not just for their topic, but for anthologies in general. -- Frank B. Feigert, University of North Texas
An ideal collection for courses on democratic theory. Terchek and Conte combine the expected selections-Rousseau, Machiavelli, Schumpeter-with an innovative list of critiques, from a variety of contemporary perspectives. Inclusions of Gandhi and other non-Western theorists is especially unusual and welcome. -- George Klosko, University of Virginia
Ronald Terchek and Thomas Conte's Theories of Democracy is a thoughtfully selected compilation of important statements representing competing accounts of democratic principles and aspirations. It should prove very useful for undergraduate courses in modern and contemporary democratic theory. -- Thomas Spragens, Duke University
Terchek and Conte's Theories of Democracy offers a wide-ranging collection of classical and contemporary perspectives on the problems and prospects of democratic society. Its most original feature is its inclusion of non-western voices in the chorus-or perhaps the cacophony-of contemporary democratic theory and practice. -- Terence Ball, Arizona State University
This book would be a useful text in an introductory-level course on democratic theory. * Political Studies Review *
