What Should We Call a Bad Democracy?

  • Published In: Journal of the History of Ideas, 2025, v. 86, n. 4. P. 631 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Sutton, Daniel 3 of 3

Abstract

The article explores the complexities and ambiguities surrounding the Greek terms dēmos and dēmokratia, particularly in the context of fifth-century Athens and its implications for modern democratic theory. It highlights how dēmos can refer to either the whole populace or a majority distinct from elites, leading to varying interpretations of dēmokratia as either a positive or negative form of governance. The text discusses perspectives from notable figures such as Plato, Thucydides, and Aristotle, who grappled with the inadequacies of terminology to distinguish between good and bad forms of popular government. Ultimately, the article suggests that the historical ambiguity in these terms reflects ongoing challenges in contemporary discussions about democracy and governance. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of the History of Ideas. 2025/10, Vol. 86, Issue 4, p631
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:0022-5037
  • DOI:10.1353/jhi.2025.a970047
  • Accession Number:188674633
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of the History of Ideas is the property of University of Pennsylvania Press and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Looking to go deeper into this topic? Look for more articles on EBSCOhost.