A national bestseller, including extended stays on the "New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and "Washington Post lists, this major work by "Newswe...
read full description
reviews
Jan 07, 2008
Jeremy
rated it: 
This is an extremely interesting book about the theory, history, and evolution of democracy all over world. Zakaria talks about what is required for democracy, why it doesnt always work, and how a country can become too democratic. Most interestingly he goes into our own contries failures in "spreading democracy" and what historical facts US administrators could have learned from. Furthermore he discusses detail of our own democracy and how it is a shadow of what it once was.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 23, 2011
Jacob
rated it: 
This is one of those few and far between books that really challenges our understanding of modern society. It speaks what most fear to say: democracy is failing. This is not to say that it is bad. In Mr. Zakaria's words, "democracy, with all its flaws, represents the 'last best hope' for people around the world." However, it has become an ugly and inefficient organization and is frankly becoming discredited here at home in the United States.
The book initially presents More...
The book initially presents More...
Nov 21, 2010
Patrick
rated it:
Zakaria points out that there is a difference between democracy and constitutional liberalism that Western people take for granted because we assume that they are one and the same. While democracy refers to government elected by the majority of its people, constitutional liberalism refers to the rule of law, separation of powers, instituional check and balances, and most importantly individual rights.
The History of Human Liberty:
The basic gist is the decentralization of More...
The History of Human Liberty:
The basic gist is the decentralization of More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
May 16, 2011
jx
rated it:
A very interesting read, especially in the wake of my country's elections, which have only concluded recently. Throughout the book, Zakaria holds up Singapore and Lee Kuan Yew, the strongman who wraught economic success without constitutional liberalism but even so, the tides are changing as we speak. Granted that he wrote this a few years back, but I'd like to hear what Mr Zakaria has to say in lieu of the fact that Mr Lee has just stepped down.
I found the ideas that were discussed More...
I found the ideas that were discussed More...
Oct 11, 2010
Stephen
rated it:
This was book was just as good as "The Post-American World" by the same author, and even easier to understand. Here once again, Mr. Zakaria simplifies complex issues without sacrificing their essential components. Highlights include an excellent analysis of the Arab world: ""The Arab world is a political desert with no real political parties, no free press, and few pathways for dissent. As a result, the mosque became the place to discuss politics. As the only place that c
More...
Nov 16, 2010
Odyssey
rated it:
for much of modern history, what characterized governments in Europe and North America, and differentiated them from those around the world, was not democracy but constitutional liberalism. The "western model of government" is best symbolized not by the mass plebiscite but the impartial judge. [20.]
what is distinctive about the American system is not how democratic it is but rather how undemocratic it is, placing as it does multiple constraints on electoral majorities. [22: More...
what is distinctive about the American system is not how democratic it is but rather how undemocratic it is, placing as it does multiple constraints on electoral majorities. [22: More...
May 12, 2009
Alexander
rated it:
What I enjoyed most about this book is the new perspective it gave me on democracy. Democracy is not just where the people rule in the eyes of western civilization but with it comes the liberties that we enjoy. His history of the development of liberty and democracy seemed accurate. Illiberal democracy does indeed give the democracy that we are trying to spread a bad name. It does seem as though Americans are slowly losing their liberties as well. His conclusions seemed weak when trying to
More...
Apr 16, 2010
David
rated it:
I enjoyed Zakaria's perspective and extensive analysis into the good and the bad of our constitutional democracy, particularly the form started in the United States. Unfortunately as he points out, American democracy has shifted into a "populist" form centered on plebiscite rule. Majority rule for every decision, every action, every step taken has weakened our political process. It's no longer about doing the right thing -- now its all about the pulse of the American public and poli
More...
Jul 27, 2011
Arjun
rated it:
If you are a regular watcher of Fareed Zakaria GPS, the ideas he advances in this book are the intellectual currency of the material he discusses on the show. I understand the themes and topics on his show better from this book.
He makes many important points concerning illiberal democracy abroad, the most poignant being that democracy is a great term but without liberty and individual rights, it run amok. Whenever a country is democratizing, elections are a priority and rightly so. H More...
He makes many important points concerning illiberal democracy abroad, the most poignant being that democracy is a great term but without liberty and individual rights, it run amok. Whenever a country is democratizing, elections are a priority and rightly so. H More...
Mar 14, 2010
Prasan
rated it: 
The breadth and depth of Fareed Zakaria's knowledge of the economic and social history of the world is astounding. He traces the development of liberal ideas and democracy in the world and makes a strong case that democracy does not necessarily imply a liberal society. He provides several examples where in fact democracy produces an illiberal society. He outlines the economic and social conditions that are necessary for a democracy to survive and produce a liberal society. However, the best
More...
Oct 24, 2011
Eduardo
rated it:
This is my favorite Muslim!!! Fareed Zakaria is intelligent, articulate, and can relate religion, politics, economy, and liberty like no one else I've read or heard. He is at the very top of my list for this kind of exposition of such an important theme as freedom. I truly strongly recommend this. If you can't find time to read it, get the audio book and put it in your car and enjoy traffic jams like you have never thought you would. Every single dissertation was music to my ears. I promise you
More...
Aug 03, 2011
Great overview of how certain global democracies came to be, and why some have been successful, while others have failed or are floundering. Zakaria spends the last half of the book describing events which have lead to the lack of confidence in the American democracy and how sometimes more "democracy" does not equal better governance.
He recounts an interview with an Iraqi civilian. When asked what the civilian was hoping the US would bring to Iraq he said, "Democracy, whisky...s More...
He recounts an interview with an Iraqi civilian. When asked what the civilian was hoping the US would bring to Iraq he said, "Democracy, whisky...s More...
Dec 30, 2008
Adam
rated it:
I knew a lot of people who didn't like this book. Then again, many of the people I know are contrarians. If something's popular, they are sure not to like it. So I'm not sure how much you can take from that.
I liked this book because it brought to my attention interesting ways of looking at issues I thought I was familiar with. I was most interested in the discussion of the "at Home" portion of the discussion: the discussion of how our democracy is potentially being paralyze More...
I liked this book because it brought to my attention interesting ways of looking at issues I thought I was familiar with. I was most interested in the discussion of the "at Home" portion of the discussion: the discussion of how our democracy is potentially being paralyze More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Jun 23, 2009
Glenn
rated it:
A great examination of how the paths to democracy that emerging nations may take and how our western views of democracy can be a bit myopic. Fascinating how, in contradiction to our traditional western views, many nations with monarchical or other non-democratic forms of government might actually be more free that other 'illiberal' democracies. The sham of an election that just took place is in Iran a perfect example of what happens when the people of a nation realize that 'democracy' does not n
More...
Nov 20, 2008
TJ
rated it:
Zakaria challenges the American notion of democracy and what it takes for "democracy" to succeed. At the core of his main argument is the idea that democracy is not what is important (Hitler was freely elected to chancellor), but the principle of constitutional liberalism - free elections, but also rule of law, seperation of powers, etc. Well written, very readable. Zakaria, I believe, is the editor for Newsweek International. His new book "The Post-American World" is sup
More...
Feb 12, 2011
Emily
rated it:
"But like any broad transformation, democracy has its dark sides. Yet we rarely speak about them." (p.16)
"...constitutional liberalism argues that human beings have certain natural rights and that governments must accept a basic law, limiting its own powers, to secure them." (p.20)
"...if you want to succeed economically in the modern world, the key is simple--be Jewish, be Indian, but above all, be Chinese." (p.53)
Th More...
"...constitutional liberalism argues that human beings have certain natural rights and that governments must accept a basic law, limiting its own powers, to secure them." (p.20)
"...if you want to succeed economically in the modern world, the key is simple--be Jewish, be Indian, but above all, be Chinese." (p.53)
Th More...
Nov 15, 2008
liz
rated it:
None of the facts or points in this book are especially new or shocking, but what is unusual and nice is seeing them all organized in the same place. What Zakaria sets out to do (and in my opinion, succeeds at) is to examine countries with institutionalized freedoms, and what political and economic conditions guarantee them, historically and at the present time. Shocker: Democracy is not automatically the answer. When doesn't it work and why, and why do Americans have so little faith in democ
More...
Jun 12, 2011
Rex
rated it:
Zakaria argues that there can be and is such a thing as too much democracy. While the rapid expansion of democracy throughout the world has led to overall remarkable results, not all the effects of its proliferation are completely benign. More specifically, “The Future of Freedom” laments and pessimistically foresees the rise of illiberal democracies--democracies that deny their citizens basic human liberties--instead of alternative forms of government that promote constitutional liberalism.
More...
Sep 05, 2008
Kathy
rated it: 
In writing The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad, Fareed Zakaria hopes to show the reader that true freedom requires more than elections in which all citizens of a country participate; it also requires what Mr. Zakaria calls constitutional liberalism. Constitutional liberalism is marked by existence of a “bundle of freedoms”, which includes rule of the law, a separation of powers, and the protection of basic liberties of speech, assembly, religion, and prop More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Sep 17, 2008
John
rated it:
This book has both the interesting and the mundane. The interesting is the idea that too much democracy may be bad for us. That position is usually arrived at by one of two roads: either we should trust the people we elect to get things done without a lot of exposure (Zakaria's position) or the people are too dumb to be allowed to participate in the running of the country (my position). While the idea that limiting openness in government is fascinating, it's not given a thorough enough examinati
More...
Jul 16, 2008
Susan
rated it:
I really enjoyed this book, although I find Zakaria's writing more challenging (obviously!) than the usual summer fluff I fill my head with, which is why it took me awhile!
As interesting as all of his insight into democracy abroad was, and I particularly appreciated his views as a native on India's rise from colonial power to illiberal democracy/economic powerhouse, I really found his commentary on the American political/cultural scene most interesting. He really helped me to clarif More...
As interesting as all of his insight into democracy abroad was, and I particularly appreciated his views as a native on India's rise from colonial power to illiberal democracy/economic powerhouse, I really found his commentary on the American political/cultural scene most interesting. He really helped me to clarif More...
Feb 07, 2008
Nate
rated it:
Recent history has highlighted the term "Democratization." With the fall of Eastern Bloc socialism and totalitarianism, Francis Fukuyama proclaimed "The End of History." Shortly thereafter, Samuel Huntington described this process as historically happening in "waves." Currently, the word "Democratization" connotes images of American and NATO forces in Afghanistan and Iraq and USAID personnel scattered thorughout the less-devleoped world.
In " More...
In " More...
Nov 01, 2007
Joshua
rated it:
The book has an interesting idea at the beginning -- that "democracy" is more than just elections, and that forcing developing countries to have elections doesn't make them free if minority rights, freedom of speech etc., are not also protected. Free elections can take place only after a country has a functioning capitalist economy that will lead to these freedoms. Sort of like Karl Marx's idea, except that they have disagreements about what happens after that.
That's the f More...
That's the f More...
Jun 29, 2009
Kevin
rated it:
The book started out a little boring for me. He discusses the history of democracy, and that's important to set the stage for the rest of the book, and I learned some things from it, but it didn't hold my interest much. But then he talks about the Middle East, which was pretty interesting. And then he talks about the U.S. (chapter 5) and that part I absolutely loved. I would have given it 3 stars rather than 4 if not for that chapter. He gives a perspective on America's problems that I've n
More...
Jul 30, 2011
Andrew
rated it:
Zakaria once again has impressed me with his ability to speak candidly on issues regarding America that are often touchy and difficult to address. He asks tough questions regarding the current state of American democracy and exposes some of the root causes of its current problems. It is truly amazing to see how negatively well-meaning legislation can impact society. My one problem with the book is that it is starting to show its age (as it was first written almost 10 years ago), which is obvious
More...
May 10, 2010
Ateeq
rated it:
This a great book and explore the curbs that exist to blunt the voter's rights by all sorts of special interests group both in the USA and abroad.
The thrust of the argument being that voting rights do not mean democracy(liberal democracy) as we see it. A lot of other things go in to building institutions that guarantee citizens rights. A lot of this also depends on a country's per capita income.
This is a wonderful and insightful book!
The thrust of the argument being that voting rights do not mean democracy(liberal democracy) as we see it. A lot of other things go in to building institutions that guarantee citizens rights. A lot of this also depends on a country's per capita income.
This is a wonderful and insightful book!
Oct 27, 2007
Carl
rated it:
Thoroughly readable. Highly engaging. A page turner that helps put the state of democracies and capitalist societies in historical perspective. Zakaria makes a good argument to have people step back and let certain elites make important decisions in government and in other realms of public society such as the news media and important choices us consumers have to make. Some might not feel the author gives enough solutions to the problems he lays out but I would have to disagree. What he's advocat
More...
Jul 30, 2011
Essentially a book on democratization put into easily readable terms. Very insightful though, the argument basically going that liberty and democracy aren't synonymous, and that democracy does not ensure liberty. Very readable and an important contribution to the comparative literature. Takes neither a cultural nor an institutional approach to democracy, to the best of my recollection.
Jan 05, 2009
Joseph D.
rated it:
This is a clarion caution for democratic restraint as well as a hopeful presentation of democracy. It treats topics like the radicalization of democracies of India/Pakistan, Gaza, and points out the basis of good democracy.
There is a lengthy treatment of California politics from what I remember as well (i.e. the ballot initiatives and the hamstringing of government).
There is a lengthy treatment of California politics from what I remember as well (i.e. the ballot initiatives and the hamstringing of government).
Aug 11, 2010
Tom
rated it:
Zakaria argues that democracies like the United States government are now too controlled by special interest groups and daily polls. He advocated delegating the role of governing to officials that we elect and then essentially leave alone on a daily basis, trusting them to do their jobs properly. (We don’t trust ourselves to set up our own computers, do our own taxes or work on our cars. Why should creating laws be any different?) His suggestion for a system which is not at the mercy of daily at
More...
