Reply #8: First Democracy: The Challenge of an Ancient Idea [View All]

[Viva_La_Revolution]

History on Book TV
A look at non-fiction history books.

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On Sunday, June 19 at 1:00 am
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First Democracy: The Challenge of an Ancient Idea
Paul Woodruff

University of Texas history professor Paul Woodruff spoke to an audience at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Austin, Texas about his new book, "First Democracy: The Challenge of an Ancient Idea." In it, Mr. Woodruff writes about the concept of the ancient Athenian democracy and the ideals around which it based. These include freedom from tyranny, the rule of law, the wisdom of citizens, reason without knowledge, and general education. The author also contends that the American system of democracy is not a strict adherence to the ideals of the Athenian democracy but is a successful representative democracy and a modern adaptation and interpretion of the ancient system.

Author Bio: In addition to "First Democracy," Paul Woodruff is the author of "Reverence: Renewing a Forgotten Virtue." He is currently a professor of ethics and American society in the philosophy department at the University of Texas at Austin.

Publisher: Oxford University Press 198 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10016