An important book.....a difficult read, but worth the effort. ( )

The first half of this book is a very informative history of the philosophies and key ideas behind the formation of democracies. I found Grayling’s writing style is accessible, clear and focused, especially for writing about philosophy. For someone who has only taken a couple of non-major courses in government, it was interesting and made clear the important theories driving how modern democracies form.
The second half of the book, where Grayling delves into what has gone wrong with our democracies, and provides ideas of how to fix them is no less interesting, it’s just not quite as well developed. He has hard facts and figures on Brexit, delineating the problems with the British system. This was very helpful for me as an American who doesn’t know the specifics. However I wish he had provided similar information about the Trump election, which he does not go into in the same detail.
I’ve heard the idea that democracy is not the best form of government, just the best one we have yet before, but I commend Graying for formulating ideas on how to fix out democracies. To tell the history of democracy, and also to show what is wrong with our democracies today is the easy part. To actually provide solutions to the problem is more difficult. I just wish he had gone into detail a little bit more. My favorite part of the book was his mention of political inefficacy. The book actually got me interested in learning about politics and being involved more. If it does that for every person that reads the book, I think that Grayling has succeeded in his goal. ( )

A. C. Grayling’s book Democracy and Its Crisis focuses on issues in modern democracies – a timely topic indeed. He frames his discussion with an intellectual history of the concept of democracy, which provides a valuable foundation. The book is thought provoking, and adds to the conversation we all need to be having.

I would recommend this book to Political Science majors, and anyone who wonders what has been happening in contemporary Western democracies. ( )

A fine introduction to the political science of democracy, from Athens to Trump. Grayling is (understandably) strongest rehashing that history. While worthwhile, I'm not sure his recommendations would really change much today. Compulsory voting, extending the franchise to 16 year-olds, and clear information regarding who is funding what will never be a match for populism's siren song I am afraid. ( )

The crisis from the author’s viewpoint is the rise of factionalism in democracy, evidenced by the 2016 Brexit vote in the UK and the Trump election in the US. Factions exert outsized influence due to structural issues wth how government is implemented and apathy within the electorate. There is a good review of the origins of democracy that provides a basis for proposals such as mandatory voting and constitutional reforms. These reforms are not easy, but this is a compelling topic and a thought provoking book. ( )