Commentaries

Anthony Giddens

‘‘This book is an extraordinary achievement, the culmination of a lifetime’s work. Unlike most previous writers, John Keane covers the early roots of democracy around the world. The book will be a standard and indispensable text for years to come for anyone concerned with the past history, current dilemmas and future prospects for democracy.’

Anthony Giddens, Emeritus Professor at the London School of Economics and author of The Third Way: The Renewal of Social Democracy (1998)

Matthew Taylor

‘Professor Keane’s magnificent book combines groundbreaking historical discoveries with powerful new ways of understanding our own world. As well as a masterful piece of scholarship, Keane’s book is a rallying cry for the friends of democracy to defend and to advance humanity’s greatest invention.’

Matthew Taylor, Chief Executive of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)

Ralf Dahrendorf

‘The Life and Death of Democracy is an unusual and extraordinary magnum opus by a notable scholar and author. It is unusual in tracing the history not just of ideas but of democratic institutions, and extraordinary in its range. John Keane’s work brings to life the story of democratic decision-making, representation and monitoring of power from Athens to Westminster and Washington. It is a masterpiece of historical writing and at the same time a major contribution to contemporary debate. This book will have a long and influential life.’

Ralf Dahrendorf, KBE, former Parliamentary Secretary of State in the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Commissioner in the European Commission in Brussels

Máté Szabó

Lord Acton never managed what John Keane has done in this book: to provide us with a global account of democracy as a check on the corrupting effects of power from ancient times to the beginning of the 21st century. The contributions of Muslims, the pivotal role of the United States, developments in South America, the European Union, China, India and his home continent, Australia, all play a role. The result: a challenging pell-mell of analysis, criticism and prophecy written by a citizen of the world. Use it as an introduction to the subject. Learn from it, be surprised and entertained by its revelations, use it as a sleeping pill. Satisfaction is guaranteed!

Máté Szabó Commissioner for Human Rights of the Hungarian Parliament. Read it here

Phillip Adams

‘Oh the woes of the world! Add failing wars to terrorism, financial catastrophe and vengeful weather and we’ve more Damoclean swords than a porcupine has quills. Can the democracies hope to dodge them? Keane’s splendid book is nothing less than the biography of democracy and it’s full of surprises that might help it, and us, survive.’
Phillip Adams, leading Australian broadcaster, film producer, satirist and chair of the Commission for the Future

Adam Michnik

‘During the era of dictatorship, in defence of our opposition, John Keane wrote under the pen name of Erica Blair. In the spirit of George Orwell, he showed bravery and solidarity, the same qualities found in this book. I highly recommend it.’

Adam Michnik, editor-in-chief of Gazeta Wyborcza, Polish historian and ranked among the world’s top 20 journalists by the Financial Times