The Honey And The Hemlock: Democracy & Paranoia In Ancient Athens & Modern America

by Eli Sagan

Argues that ancient Athens and modern America share the same basic moral and psychological problems, and examines the connection between political paranoia and a society's capacity for democratic behavior

Genres: Politics, History, Nonfiction

448 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

Reviews

[Bryce]

tedious yet interesting discussion of the similarities between the stages of athenian democracy, 20th century US, and how Hofstadter's conception of the Paranoid formation disrupted the health of both. Enjoyable even if circular at times. I would really enjoy an updated version as Sagan, much like other Fukuyama-era writers are partial to the obviously puerile "End Of History".

[Steve Kierstead · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome and important book!

What are the conditions that allowed this remarkably open and inclusive society (i.e., Athens in the 6th century BC and afterwards) to come about, and to endure? And what allowed it to collapse? Even in Athens, democracy had flaws: the demos can be tyrannical and blood-thirsty, subject to flattery (see Alcibiades), brutal to some while diligently fair to others.

I've read this twice (second in 11/2006, and now again in 2018) and got value out of it both times.

The argument of this book is that without the additional crucial factor of a democratic spirit suffused throughout the demos, no institutional means can ensure a stable democratic society. We should not be surprised by the fragility of democratic society when we consider how extraordinarily difficult is had been to achieve. [p.352]

[EdMohs · Rating 4 out of 5]

i haven't completely got thru this
its a complicated read
of ancient & how it relates to modern democracy