At a time when liberal democracy is the universally accepted and paradigmatic means of political participation, no better a book has emerged to assess democracy's heritage. Drawing upon democracy's history as both an idea and political act, Ross Harrison considers its importance by examining the works of Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, the American Federalists, Hume, Bentham, Mills, Hegel and Marx. Exploring democracy's relationship to concepts such as liberty, equality and knowledge, Ross considers democracy's fallacies and as well as its foundations. Even-handedly, Ross weighs the benefits of democracy and the lack thereof. Democracy is a compelling guide through this concepts history, and Ross keenly investigates each paradox, problem, pro and con of democracy.