In moving beyond the dichotomy between representative and participatory models of democracy, contemporary democratic theory has drawn out the crucial role of deliberation in the effective operation of democratic institutions. However, while deliberation is applied to democratic effect in interpersonal relationships, new social movements, international negotiations and so on, there appears to be a hesitation in theorizing the means to improve the deliberative functions of existing representative institutions. This book argues that despite the many limitations of representative democracy, and...

This book explores the intriguing idea that there is much more democracy in human history than is generally acknowledged. It establishes that democracy was developing across greater Asia before classical Athens, clung on during the 'Dark Ages', often formed part of indigenous governance and is developing today in unexpected ways.