Democracy and Revolution: From Ancient Greece to Modern Capitalism

Democracy came to ancient Greece, as it did later to other parts of the world, through sharp and prolonged conflicts between contending social classes, George Novack explains. "It was everywhere the offspring of revolution."

Novack traces the evolution of democracy - its limitations and advances in various forms of class society - from its roots in the mercantile city-states of ancient Greece through its rise and decline under modern capitalism.

He discusses the emergence of Bonapartims, military dictatorship and fascism; highlights the fight fo working people to defend and extend democratic rights; and explains how democracy will be advanced under a workers' and farmers' regime.