The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Homeand Abroad by Fareed Zakaria

Jan 07, 2008

Jeremy rated it

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Recommends it for: anyone interested in the state of our government

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.

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Apr 23, 2011

Jacob rated it

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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 ...moreThis 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 its premise as a critique of democratizing forces and countries throughout the world. However, the real thesis is that it is constitutional liberalism, not democracy, that causes nations to flourish. The author backs this claim up with historical facts and examples that prove that the Western, and more specifically Anglo-Saxon, traditions of separation of powers and a responsible elite that have made Western democracies so successful in the world today. He also details factors such as high per capita incomes, independent judiciaries, and respect for law and authority as reasons that some democracies tend to succeed while others fail.

What resonates most with this reader, however, is the critique of the twin forces that have made government in the United States so unsuccessful in recent years: democratization and marketization. Mr. Zakaria argues that nearly every effort in the last century to make our political system more open, from the direct election of Senators to campaign finance reform, has had a detrimental effect on the way government operates. The road to Hell is paved with good intentions essentially, because despite honorable goals the democratization of the Republic has led to disenchantment with the legislative process, reactionary politicians that follow instead of lead, a lack of long term vision for the country, and the dominance of special interest groups.

The author lauds Founding Fathers such as James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and George Washington for their foresight on issues such as the delegation of authority, an independent banking system, and the importance of a responsible elite respectively. He shows that America has lost its ability to shelter its leaders from popular opinion and that the the principle of service to the country has quickly been eroded by marketization trends in industries such as law, medicine, and accounting. The death of authority and of responsibility in society is wholly apparent to the observant eye.

In the end Mr. Zakaria argues that the way out is through an increase in independent institutions like the Federal Reserve system and the Supreme Court. Government officials need to be able to do whats best for the country, instead of what the masses clamor for. It would appear, he argues, that the solution to inefficiencies in the system is less democracy and more liberty, constitutional governance and independent decision making instead of referendums and popular governance.

The Future of Freedom is a book that every citizen should read. This is not a partisan book and it is not just about democracy's effects on the world, it is about its legacy at home. Fareed Zakaria has once again written a seminal piece that should read by generations to come. (less)

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Nov 21, 2010

Patrick rated it

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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

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May 16, 2011

jx rated it

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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

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Oct 11, 2010

Stephen Bird rated it

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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...moreThis 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 cannot be banned in Muslim societies, it is where all the hate and opposition towards the regimes collected and grew. The language of opposition became, in these lands, the language of religion. This combination of religion and politics has proven to be combustible." [from Chapter 4, "The Islamic Exception" (The Rise of Religion)]. Regarding the democratization of politics in the United States: "The more open a system becomes, the more easily it can be penetrated by money, lobbyists, and fanatics. What has changed in Washington is not that politicians have closed themselves off from the American people and are unwilling to hear their pleas. it is that they do scarcely anything but listen to the American people." (from Chapter 5, "Too Much of a Good Thing"). And finally, in reference to "the deregulation of democracy [having] gone too far": ".......... in poll after poll, when Americans are asked what public institutions they most respect, three bodies are always at the top of their list: the armed forces, the Federal Reserve System, and the Supreme Court. All three have one thing in common: they are insulated from public pressures and operate undemocratically." (from Conclusion: "The Way Out"). "The Future of Freedom" opens with a two-paragraph excerpt from "The Age of Fable or Stories of Gods and Heroes" by Thomas Bulfinch. This excerpt concerns Ulysses and his encounter with the Sirens. Although Mr. Zakaria "explains" this mythological metaphor in the final chapter of the book, this is my interpretation: that the USA has reached a dangerous crossroads at this time in history, and that careful and disciplined navigation will be necessary to help the country stay on course, renouncing the temptations resulting from the mixed blessings, and potentially dangerous loopholes, inherent in America's liberal democratic system.
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Nov 16, 2010

Odyssey rated it

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Shelves: contemporary, history, owned, politics, india, current-affairs, political-science, non-fiction

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

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May 12, 2009

Alexander Francis rated it

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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

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Apr 16, 2010

David rated it

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Shelves: 2010, geopolitical

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

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Jul 27, 2011

Arjun Mishra rated it

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Shelves: political-science

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...moreIf 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. However, there is more to it than elections. Elections just focus on what a majority wants. I believe the Ivory Coast is suffering through that problem. The majority wins the election, but the minority still deserves individual rights and liberties as enjoyed by the majority. Since democratization is a motif this year, this book rings especially true and makes some incisive points.

Zakaria's analysis of illiberal democracy at home is not nearly as insightful as his analysis abroad. He carps on the primaries that polarize a party internally and reprimands re-districting for making districts more Republican or Democrat. The more interesting part in this section of the book is his critque of California and its nearly "anarchistic" system. Using the example of California's referenda, he makes the claims that insitutions like the Supreme Court and the Fed that enjoy some shield from the voters - who are not specialized like they are - are run better than institutions that constantly have to answer to and gratify voters. I think the point is valid, but then he goes onto the discuss the decline of civic engagement in American society, which is when the section tails off a bit. He almost advocates bringing back a WASP coterie of the 1950s as benevolent businessmen or something akin to that.

There are some faults with his analysis of home for sure, but the section on democratization and illiberal democracy abroad makes this a fascinating read. The writing is eminently readable, but it does read like a column at times and not a book. (less)

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Mar 14, 2010

Prasan Kaikini rated it

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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

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Oct 24, 2011

Eduardo rated it

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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

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Aug 03, 2011

Ruby added it · review of another edition

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

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Dec 30, 2008

Adam rated it

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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

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Jun 23, 2009

Glenn rated it

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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

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Nov 20, 2008

TJ Jackson rated it

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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

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Feb 12, 2011

Emily Humbert rated it

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Shelves: 21st-cen, american-history, contemporary, current-affairs, economics, history, middle-east, philosophy, politics

"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

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Nov 15, 2008

liz rated it

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Shelves: non-fiction, international

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

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Jul 12, 2009

Rex rated it

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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. ...moreZakaria 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.

Perhaps what I most appreciated is his patient explication of democracy and constitutional liberalism. Too often Americans vaguely interpret “democracy” as “good government.” This definition, however, is analytically meaningless and stifles discussion and understanding. Democracy, of course, implies a government set up by an electoral process with universal suffrage. The effectiveness and legitimacy of a particular government is irrelevant to technically earn the label of “democracy.” Constitutional liberalism is less concerned with what the majority desires than with ensuring the rule of law and that basic human liberties (freedom of speech, assembly, religion, and property) are protected.

In short, Zakaria laments that “democracy is flourishing, while liberty is not.” He encourages the world and its leaders to stop senseless insistence on democracy and consider more holistic approaches that ensure constitutional liberalism. More specifically, Zakaria proposes a rule-of-thumb to determine if a government is ready to establish a liberal democracy: per capita GDP must reach a certain threshold. Essentially, capitalism first, democracy second.

Zakaria notes that it is particularly difficult to democratize countries with large supplies of natural resources. Natural resources enable a government to finance itself without taxing its citizens. This results in leaders that can be much more unresponsive to its citizens because they are not collecting taxes. The book notes an indelible connection between the legitimacy of a government the payment of taxes.

Zakaria also argues that the U.S. is facing difficulties due to excessive democratization. He makes several observations of/suggestions for the U.S. political system, notably:

1. Democracy has rendered both the electorate and the elected largely subjected to powerful lobbies. This has led to many senseless government subsidies. Lobbies are difficult to counter because there is a great asymmetry in benefit to an individual lobby and loss to any individual tax payer for any given subsidy.
2. Primary elections tend to polarize the nation rather than unify it behind a candidate most appealing to the general public.
3. Policy-making has become more dependent on the polls than on proper reasoning.
4. Political candidates are constantly accused of “power-grabs” if they so much as suggest any consolidation of power that would give government officials more authority. This results in inefficiency and less expertise. Interestingly, the most admired branch of government is the judicial branch, the most hierarchal.
5. Increased government transparency often results in hyperpolarization rather than promoting the general welfare.
6. Referenda (in California) result in an unworkable system that handcuffs politicians from making needed reforms.
7. Increased democratization has led to a decline of an elite class that shows concern for the interest of broader society. Thus, we are left with career politicians.

Zakaria extends his argument beyond government. He argues that culture is increasingly being replaced with “pop culture.” Religion has adopted a populist approach. Instead of finding an ideal and insisting on compliance, churches check the wind and adjust course.

In summary, I thought this was a very accessible book that tackles head-on the difficulties of the increased democratization of the world. Undoubtedly, the rise of democracy has largely been a miraculous boon to the world, but this book fills a useful niche by warning us of the dangers of the tyranny of the majority.

I particularly liked the last sentences of the book: "Eighty years ago, Woodrow Wilson took America into the twentieth century with a challenge to make the world safe for democracy. As we enter the twenty-first our task is to make democracy safe for the world."
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Sep 05, 2008

Kathy rated it

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Recommended to Kathy by: required reading for American Government course

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

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 property. Constitutional liberalism protects individual autonomy and guards against coercion, while democracy alone is a means of selecting government. Mr. Zakaria points to America as the greatest example to lead to recovery of the “constitutional tradition”. However, he feels that even in America constitutional liberalism is on a downslide.
In the first half of his book, Zakaria spends a good deal of time describing the elements that predict successful democratization of a country. He contends that “democracy is flourishing, liberty is not” because democracy has “paved the way” for dictatorships in many countries. One of the major reasons for this trend according to Zakaria is that it is possible to have too much of a good thing: democracy. In other words, to have policy informed too greatly by the popular majority will result in decreased liberalism.

Zakaria is very Machiavellian in his thinking in the sense that he believes that it is unwise for a leader (or government) to seek or accept too much advice from too many sources. He contends that the authority of a number of social institutions, including religion and the elite has been weakened. The elite are weakened by the fact that business now prevents them from providing service to the public. This has led to public distrust of the elite as merely self-interested. Religion has declined as a source of authority in that it is seen less as a guiding authority and now as more of an individual experience. Media is weakened in its authority by the need to provide for the taste of the masses to turn a profit, rather than being dedicated to higher ideals. For Zakaria, populism and profit have dealt a death blow to authority in America. These are what he refers to as the “consequences of capitalism”. He believes that the fact that Congress is more open to lobbyists and special interests has made it nearly impossible to reduce federal spending and also prevents the funding of new government programs.

To my surprise, I actually find myself agreeing with him when he says, “in the name of democracy, we have created a new layer of enormously powerful elites”. I believe that the “average” citizen should be able to have their opinions heard and considered and I certainly don’t feel that policy should be sold to the highest bidder. However, this is exactly what Zakaria describes. It is all about marketing and spin these days. Look at how well corporations do at selling Americans products they don’t need. I am not naïve enough to believe that they won’t try to sell me ideas that I don’t need as well.

Zakaria proposes delegation, and while avoiding use of the word, what sounds to me like privatization as the solution to the decline in constitutional liberalism. He calls on the elite of this nation to return to a historical sense of responsibility and civic obligation to strengthen and preserve freedom. In the Afterword, titled The 51st State he applies his theories to the ongoing situation in Iraq and concludes that America has before it a long and difficult task in assisting the people in maintaining a democratic and liberal country.

This book is a difficult read for the student taking their first college-level course in government. The material is dense and would be more readily understood by an individual already schooled in national and international politics. An entire course could be centered on this text itself.
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Sep 17, 2008

John rated it

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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

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Jul 16, 2008

Susan rated it

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Recommends it for: Anyone who thinks the country is on the "wrong track"

Recommended to Susan by: Amazon

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

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Feb 07, 2008

Nate Cooley rated it

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Shelves: books-i-read-in-2007

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 "...moreRecent 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 "The Furture of Freedom," Fareed Zakaria tackles the overwhelming topic of democracy and how the application of the concept has evolved for better or worse both at home and thorughout the world. Specifically, Zakaria explores democracy as a politcal system and how it relates to liberty. According to Zakaria, democracy, to the detriment of the notion itself, is becoming more and more "illiberal" as he calls it. Illiberal democracy lacks real freedoms and is most commonly found in young, democratizing states. According to Zakaria, illiberal democracy is akin to "totalitarian democracy."

One of the most fascinating theories in the book is Zakaria's exploration of what Thomas Carothers (and others) have called democratic "sequencing." In other words, is there a sequential formula that leads to successful liberal democracy, and if so, what is it? In one section of the book entitled "The Wealth of Nations," Zakaria states that "[t]he simplest explanation for a new democracy's political success is its economic success - or, to be more specific, high per capita national income." This notion of "capitalism first, democratization second" is a theme that has garnered tremendous academic attention and is a theory adopted in "The Future of Freedom." Zakaria states that "when countries become democratic at low levels of development, their democracy usually dies." Zakaria posits that the most important factor leading to an enduring democracy is the relative wealth of a country. According to Zakaria and others, wealth is good for liberty because (1) wealth allows key segments of society - the bourgeoisie - to gain power independant of the state, and (2) in bargaining with this bourgeoisie, the state tends to become less rapacious and capricious and more rule-oriented and responsive to society's needs (that is, to the needs of the elite class).

So often, the appeal of "democracy" as a concept is constantly and blindly beaten into our psyches that we often fail to examine what it truly means for a society to be liberally democratic. Another question that is rarely asked is whether pure democracy itself is the ideal political system. Zakaria, in another section of the book and in accordance with Madison and Hamilton, argues that pure democracy is dangerous and that there is such a thing as a the "Tyranny of a Majority."

Ultimately, Fareed Zakaria's book was incredibly illuminating. It is not an exhaustive source on the topic of democracy nor does it stick to one theory and ride it all the way to the end. Zakaria changes gears throughout, but stays true to the notion that human liberty should not be sacrificaed at the "alter of democracy" either at home or as it applies to newly democratizing countries. The book is especially relevant in light of current U.S. foreign policy towards both Iraq and Afghanistanand the rest of the developing world for that matter. (less)

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Nov 01, 2007

Joshua rated it

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Recommends it for: small d democrats

Shelves: americanforeignpolicy, america

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

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Jun 29, 2009

Kevin rated it

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Shelves: non-fiction

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

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Jul 30, 2011

Andrew rated it

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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

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May 10, 2010

Ateeq Ahmad rated it

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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!

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Oct 27, 2007

Carl rated it

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Recommends it for: the rich and powerful

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

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Jul 30, 2011

Sam Norton added it · review of another edition

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.

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Jan 05, 2009

Joseph D. Walch rated it

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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).

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Aug 11, 2010

Tom rated it

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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

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BBCode	[url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7303638-the-future-of-freedom?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book][img]http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327940707m/7303638.jpg[/img][/url] [url=http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7303638-the-future-of-freedom?utm_medium=api&utm_source=blog_book]The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Homeand Abroad by Fareed Zakaria[/url]

The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Homeand Abroad

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