Craig Calhoun

Degenerations of Democracy is a much-needed book and is essential for anyone who wants to repair democracy, both in individual nations and more broadly speaking as a desired form of government.

While detailed and academic it is also very accessible. The explanations of where we are, how and why we got here, and what we can do to try to improve democracy(s) moving forward are best approached in a considered manner. The writing is largely quite readable which might make you want to quickly read and get to the prescriptive parts. But those discussions, the details about what has gotten us here, really need to be understood before getting to what we can do. It isn't about policy, it is about movements, it is (and has always been) about process not rigid guidelines.

Because of the current moment many on the right might feel singled out, but if you read carefully there is enough blame to go around for why we have degenerated to the extent we have. If this were written at some other time the bulk of the contemporary criticism would fall more heavily on the left. What I am saying is this: if you want to live in a democracy, an actual democracy, then read this book and rather than get mad when you recognize yourself or your segment of the population, learn from it. I am a leftist and I had several kneejerk reactions, so everyone should have multiple chances to reflect as well as to blame others. Ultimately, every reader needs to decide first if they want a democracy and, if you do, look at what can be done.

I am adding this to a list of books I intend to reread sooner than I usually reread a book. I would suggest the same to others. I want to give everything a week or two to sink in, then read it again to catch the things I likely missed the first time.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.… (more)