Did democracy ever exist? Why is it no longer possible?

Democracy is in crisis. In every major company it has been stole by elites or in the hands of strong men. In democracy's name we see a raft of policies that spread inequality and xenophobia worldwide. It is clear that democracy - the principle of government by and for the people - is not living up to its promise.

In fact, real democracy- inclusive and egalitarian - has in fact never existed. In this urgent and engaging book, Astra Taylor invites us to re-examine the term. Is democracy a means or an end? A process or a set of desired outcomes? What if the those outcomes, whatever they may be - peace, prosperity, equality, liberty, an engaged citizenry - can be achieved by non-democratic means? Or if an election leads to a terrible outcome? If democracy means rule by the people, what does it mean to rule and who counts as the people? The inherent paradoxes are too often unnamed and unrecognized. But to ignore them is no longer possible.

Democracy May Not Exist, but We'll Miss It When It's Gone offers a better understanding of what is possible, what we want, and why democracy is so hard to realize.

"Impressive" - New York Times

"An impressive contribution to this anxious re-examination of political assumptions and practices . . .Displays considerable intellectual nimbleness" - New York Times

"A collage of people, voices, eras, and emotions-[Taylor] covers the suffering of communities as well as their triumphs in solidarity." - Vogue

"A politically-engaged exploration, taking us far beyond the idea that democracy just means periodic elections, civil liberties...Strongly recommended" - Peace News