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On Democracy

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Tremendous breadth and perspective on the major political dilemmas of our time from a wise scholar of the academy and citizen of the world. Everyone from experts to laypersons can enjoy, understand, and gain from Dahl's insights and characterizations regarding the fundamental political dilemmas of our time. Rarely, does such a combination of scholarly erudition and simple prose ever come along. I am greatful to Robert Dahl for contributing and elevating political discourse here and around the world with this book. Please read it if you are remotely interested in the politics of any country and the politics of the world. You can probably read it in one long sitting.

On another level, this book will forever remain the textual staple of the "Introduction to Comparative Government Courses" I teach.

This review does not mean that I agree with Dahl on all his positions it just means that I think his book is important.

This book is a provocative, informative, prudent, understated, and insightful explanation of the world's post-Soviet political era. (In this respect, Dahl's book is much better than Francis Fukuyama's ridiculously overstated, criminially impractical, triumphantly-and-arrogantly-toned treatise on "the end of the history." And guess what? Dahl's book is much shorter.)

The previous reviewer obviously misunderstood Dahl's intent. This book is an introduction to democracy for the uninitiated, not a definitive philosophical statement. Expecting more from such a short volume is silly.

That said, Dahl masterfully surveys major areas of scholarly consensus and debate, synthesizing a vast literature as no one else could. Frankly, this book is without peer. It is a beautifully written, succinct and compelling guide to democracy, required reading, if you will, for all those who cherish the gift of liberty.

The previous reviewer obviously misunderstood Dahl's intent. This book is an introduction to democracy for the uninitiated, not a definitive philosophical statement. Expecting more from such a short volume is silly.

That said, Dahl masterfully surveys major areas of scholarly consensus and debate, synthesizing a vast literature as no one else could. Frankly, this book is without peer. It is a beautifully written, succinct and compelling guide to democracy, required reading, if you will, for all those who cherish the gift of liberty.

This is a good book.

However, the author's bias shows through on several topics. For example, even though it is obvious that he clearly believes a proportional electoral system is superior to a first past the pole system, he never states that is his belief. He presents an incomplete list of goods and bads associated with both systems. But, neither list is exhaustive. The reader, as a result, is left to figure out what he left off the list and wondering why it was left off the list.

Otherwise, this is a good book if you want a quick and easy read on democracy.

Simple and clean; a great review after years away from school. A great start for that child who has a paper due for school. This essay left me curious and wanting to learn more about the different forms of democracy used around the world. If there is one drawback, it is that some of the best further reading suggestions are no longer available in print, or were not published in the U. S.

This book is great! Assuming you already have a Ph. D. in Political Science. Otherwise this book is best reserved for drop quoting, or light reference. The author shows bias towards the United States' form of Democracy, as is to be expected in such a book. The simplistic nature makes the reader annoyed more than informed. The childish approach is suited for school children, but not as appropriate as other books for real analysis.