Democracy in theory and practice

The book examines the origin and evolution of democracy from the ancient to modern times both comprehensively and analytically. In this context, the important contributions of both India and China have been highlighted along with contributions made by the Greeks and the Romans to the initial evolution of democratic ideals.
The turning points and important break throughs in the modern period, like the early process of secularisation in late Medieval Europe, the importance of the Renaissance and Machiavelli, and shift of the democratic thought to England in the seventeenth century with the initial radicalism of the Levellers and the Diggers, and the beginning of liberal democracy with Locke's political theory, have all been highlighted.
The changes from the Age of Enlightenment and both the left wing (mainly Marxist) and the rightist (mainly fascist) challenge to democracy till the collapse of communism has been analysed in detail. Within the larger acceptance of representative, constitutional and liberal democracy now, there are many variants and all of these have been studied in detail. Sallent features of the book are:
• Analyses theories and practice, and different models of democracy. Critically evaluates recent debates on group/cultural rights, identity politics, the feminist perspective and the environmental challenge to democracy.
Debates on the idea of democratic peace, force democracy, and mechanisms of power-sharing.