Democracy and the History of Political Thought

Stephen Patrick Sims is assistant professor of political science at Rochester Institute of Technology.Stephen A. Block is senior lecturer of political science at Baylor University, where he teaches political philosophy and Constitutional law.Patrick N. Cain teaches political philosophy, politics and literature, and constitutional law in Lakehead University's Political Science department.

“Democracy and the History of Political Thought is a rich and extensive survey of the greats in the history of political thought on the topic of democracy. Offered as rival to the placid complacency of today’s ‘democratic theory,’ the chapters—written to honor Mary and David Nichols—convey serious authority and uncover old truths and hidden depths.”

• Introduction: The Politics of Democracy by Stephen A. Block, Patrick N. Cain, and Stephen Patrick SimsChapter 1: To Bear the Blame for All Time: The Role of Judah in the Joseph Story by J. David AlvisChapter 2: Of Power, Worthiness, and Equality: Homeric Melancholia and Democratic Theory by Arlene W. SaxonhouseChapter 3: Equality of Speech: Athenian Democracy in the Histories of Herodotus by Ann WardChapter 4: Democracy and Demagogy in Thucydides by Steven FordeChapter 5: Plato’s Democratic Moment by Mary P. NicholsChapter 6: Aristotle on Statesmanship, Freedom, and the Spirit of Democracy by Stephen A. BlockChapter 7: Cicero’s Populism by Stephen Patrick SimsChapter 8: Reflections on Augustine and Democracy by Douglas KriesChapter 9: Democracy in Muslim Spain: Averroes’s Domestic Account of Popular Rule by Alexander OrwinChapter 10: Thomas Aquinas on Democracy and the Best Regime by Patrick N. CainChapter 11: Machiavelli on the Possibilities and Problems of Democratic Politics by Cather