TheDeclineandRiseofDemocracy

Historical accounts of the rise of democracy often focus on ancient Greece and pre-Renaissance Europe. However, in The Decline and Rise of Democracy, David Stasavage draws from global evidence to show that democratic practices were present in many places and times, from pre-European conquest America to ancient Mesopotamia and pre-colonial Africa. Stasavage argues that a deeper understanding of how and where early democracies flourished, and why they declined, can provide valuable insights into modern democracy and its potential for the future.

Stasavage first considers why some states developed democratic or autocratic styles of governance. He proposes that early democracies tended to emerge in small places with weak state institutions and simple technologies. In medieval Europe, for example, rulers needed to secure consent from their subjects due to the absence of strong central institutions such as a tax bureaucracy. However, in places like China or the Middle East, where central institutions were stronger, autocracy was more likely.

From there, Stasavage explores the transition from early to modern democracy, tracing its origins in England and the United States, where efforts were made to combine popular control with a strong state over a large territory. He emphasizes that democracy has evolved over time and continues to do so.

In light of contemporary democratic anxieties, The Decline and Rise of Democracy offers a broader historical view of political institutions and provides important lessons for anyone invested in governance.

作者简介

DavidStasavageisdeanforthesocialsciencesandtheJuliusSilverProfessorofPoliticsatNewYorkUniversity.HisbooksincludeTaxingtheRichandStatesofCredit(bothPrinceton).Twitter@stasavage