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amlecher's review against another edition
5.0
I do enjoy books like this, that tackle complex topics and do so while not simplifying it. Astra Taylor discusses aspects of democracy and shows us that there are trade-offs, there are positive aspects to things we would often see as negative ideas (coercion). There are no easy solutions, but a book like this opens us to having the conversations that are needed as we face the likely future issues with American democracy.
sarahhigh's review against another edition
I liked this. It was surprisingly a bit Greek history heavy and I didn’t hate that at all.
lucasmiller's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this. It was wide ranging in its use of history, political theory, and contemporary interviews with folks from all walks of like. Taylor’s writing is approachable even when it gets technical. May we rise to the occasion and create a more democratic world while we still can.
ostrowk's review against another edition
4.0
Astra Taylor's DEMOCRACY MAY NOT EXIST didn't break a ton of new ground for me, but it was excellent nevertheless in the way it collected and rehearsed left-wing analysis. I loved the series of clarifying questions through the lens of tensions inherent in democracy: coercion/choice, spontaneity/structure, present/future. It felt quick and necessary.
torvosaur's review against another edition
4.0
A dense read - don't think of this as a book offering concrete solutions, but as a set of meditations on democracy. The author provides an inquiry into democracy as a balance of paradoxes, an exploration of opposites. She uses fundamental contradictions in democracy (present/future, spontaneity/structure to point to why democracy and self-rule is something always on the horizon, always to be grasped but never fully realized.
The flow of the book is a little disorganized, hence I had trouble paying attention to the larger points being made. It could have used a bit more editing. However, it teases out the tensions remarkably well, and while taking a socialist perspective, is still realistic about the drawbacks.
The flow of the book is a little disorganized, hence I had trouble paying attention to the larger points being made. It could have used a bit more editing. However, it teases out the tensions remarkably well, and while taking a socialist perspective, is still realistic about the drawbacks.
lauramdh's review
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
5.0
This is my favorite book of all time. All the stars. I want to reread it every year.
mxbenjaminrose's review against another edition
4.0
An insightful envisioning of what a political state could be and a rallying call against the pitfalls of what we now call "democracy." I was expecting this to be more of a manifesto; it's actually more of a series of eight distinct-but-connected lessons on political philosophy. I think this could be a good jumping off point for someone just starting to question the status quo of American exceptionalism; from there, we can branch off into other works that can flesh out each of the ideas more fully.
A great read.
A great read.
olgarych's review against another edition
5.0
An absolute must read. We often think of democracy as a single act of voting, while being less aware of myriad of other forces that define who and why yields real power and to what end. From unequal access to education even in the rich countries with public education systems that look excellent on paper to unelected international financial institutions and multinational corporations that have more power over our lives than presidents and congressmen. Really really compelling read, in a clear and illuminating language. Make sure you have your highlighter at hand - you will want to underline a lot of passages and ideas.
o88's review against another edition
5.0
Highly recommend watching her companion documentary "What is Democracy?"
Found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UYmxsBxX4w&ab_channel=TVODocs
The book points out the illusory and paradoxical aspects of democracy and why it's such an elusive project to realize with anti-democratic forces in the world. She is a champion for the people and possesses a very impressive and refined perspective that is worth listening to to better understand the current state of things.
5/5
Found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UYmxsBxX4w&ab_channel=TVODocs
The book points out the illusory and paradoxical aspects of democracy and why it's such an elusive project to realize with anti-democratic forces in the world. She is a champion for the people and possesses a very impressive and refined perspective that is worth listening to to better understand the current state of things.
5/5