Democracy Ancient and Modern

By M. I. Finley

SERIES: Mason Welch Gross Lecture Series

Rutgers University Press, Rutgers University Press Classics

Western democracy is now at a critical juncture. Some worry that power has been wrested from the people and placed in the hands of a small political elite. Others argue that the democratic system gives too much power to a populace that is largely ill-informed and easily swayed by demagogues.

This classic study of democratic principles is thus now more relevant than ever. A renowned historian of antiquity and political philosophy, Sir M.I. Finley offers a comparative analysis of Greek and modern conceptions of democracy. As he puts the ancient Greeks in dialogue with their contemporary counterparts, Finley tackles some of the most pressing issues of our day, including public apathy, partisanship, consensus politics, distrust of professional politicians, and the limits of free speech.

Including three lectures that Finley delivered at Rutgers University, plus two additional essays that further illuminate his thinking, Democracy Ancient and Modern explores the dramatic differences between the close-knit civil society of the ancient Greeks and our own atomized mass societies. By mapping out democracy’s past and its present manifestations, this book helps us plot a course for democracy’s future.

It is to be hoped that this small book, which testifies to the erudition, the critical spirit and the open-mindedness of its author, will attract the attention not only of historians, but also of politicians and political theorists. G. J. D. Aalders, author of Political Thought in Hellenistic Times

This is one of the stimulating books through which M. I. Finley transformed approaches to ancient history in the anglophone world, rejecting arid antiquarianism and insisting on dialogue between the ancient world and the modern. P. J. Rhodes, honorary professor and emeritus professor, Durham University

Highly stimulating and instructive reading for all whose interests lie in history, economics, sociology and political theory and institutions... Professor Finley is a master of many disciplines. D. J. Mosley, author of Diplomacy in Ancient Greece

An extremely stimulating series of essays, demonstrating anew the continued vitality and relevance of the Athenian experience to modern political problems. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science

Brilliant. Thomas B. Jones, author of Bad Lies and Promoting Active Learning

A stylish, stimulating, and enjoyable author. The British Journal of Sociology

There is much here to think about. The American Historical Review

The usefulness of Finley's discussion of these issues is beyond question. Barry Hindess, author of Discourses of Power: From Hobbes to Foucault

Given the current crisis in the experience of twenty-first century democracies, the republication of Finley’s landmark work on the distinctive grounding principles of Athenian versus modern democracies could not be more timely. Arlene Saxonhouse, Caroline Robbins Professor of Political Science and Women's Studies

It is to be hoped that this small book, which testifies to the erudition, the critical spirit and the open-mindedness of its author, will attract the attention not only of historians, but also of politicians and political theorists. G. J. D. Aalders, author of Political Thought in Hellenistic Times

This is one of the stimulating books through which M. I. Finley transformed approaches to ancient history in the anglophone world, rejecting arid antiquarianism and insisting on dialogue between the ancient world and the modern. P. J. Rhodes, honorary professor and emeritus professor, Durham University

Highly stimulating and instructive reading for all whose interests lie in history, economics, sociology and political theory and institutions... Professor Finley is a master of many disciplines. D. J. Mosley, author of Diplomacy in Ancient Greece

An extremely stimulating series of essays, demonstrating anew the continued vitality and relevance of the Athenian experience to modern political problems. Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science

Brilliant. Thomas B. Jones, author of Bad Lies and Promoting Active Learning

A stylish, stimulating, and enjoyable author. The British Journal of Sociology

There is much here to think about. The American Historical Review

The usefulness of Finley's discussion of these issues is beyond question. Barry Hindess, author of Discourses of Power: From Hobbes to Foucault

Given the current crisis in the experience of twenty-first century democracies, the republication of Finley’s landmark work on the distinctive grounding principles of Athenian versus modern democracies could not be more timely. Arlene Saxonhouse, Caroline Robbins Professor of Political Science and Women's Studies

SIR MOSES I. FINLEY, FBA, (born Moses Isaac Finkelstein; 1912-1986), was a major scholar of Classics and Ancient History. He taught at Columbia University and the City College of New York, where he was influenced by exiled members of the Frankfurt School, before taking a position at Rutgers University. Soon after, Finley was investigated by the House Un-American Activities Committee for possible communist affiliation. Refusing to incriminate himself, he took the fifth amendment upon testifying. Though no charges were brought, his refusal resulted in dismissal by the University despite faculty protests. Finley moved to England in 1955, where he taught Classics at Cambridge and became a master at Darwin College. His numerous works include the classic texts Aspects of Antiquity, and The Ancient Economy. Finley was knighted by the Queen for his contributions to scholarship in 1979.

Dedication
Preface
Preface to the First Edition
1. Leaders and Followers
2. Athenian Demagogues
3. Democracy, Consensus and the National Interest
4. Socrates and After
5. Censorship in Classical Antiquity
Notes
About the Author
Other Books by M. I. Finley
Index

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