The Future of Democracy

This book focuses on the processes that help stabilize democracy. It provides a socio-historical analysis of the future prospects of democracy.The link between advanced capitalism and democracy is emphasized, focusing on contract law and the separation of

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The Future of Democracy

The Future of Democracy

Ronald M. Glassman

The Future of Democracy

Ronald M. Glassman NYU School of Professional Studies Stern College of Yeshiva University New York, NY, USA

ISBN 978-3-030-16110-1    ISBN 978-3-030-16111-8 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16111-8 © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2019 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors, and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, express or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. This Springer imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG. The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland

This book is dedicated to my wife, Urania, whose love of American democracy is as luminous as the legacy of her ancient Greek ancestors.

Preface

In the latter part of the twentieth century, there was a “third wave” of democracies emerging in the world. Spain went democratic, and when the Soviet Union broke up, the Eastern European countries went democratic. So, too, did South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore. It looked as if the whole world was moving toward advanced capitalism and democracy. Yet, here we are in the twenty-first century wherein a countertrend is occurring. Authoritarian regimes are overturning democracies: Putin has overridden Russia’s democratic constitution; Xi has declared himself president for life and is actively surveilling China’s citizens; democracy has collapsed in Venezuela and has been overthrown in the Middle East. Even Western Europe is threatened by new fascist movements. And the USA, the great beacon of democracy, has its president, Donald Trump, criticizing the Free Press and encouraging his supporters to commit acts of violence. Can democracy survive in the modern world? Will Russia and China ever go democratic? Will the new global communications networks destroy democracy or enhance it? This book focuses on the processes that serve to stabilize and expand democrac