Any good books on ancient democracy ??

[socialize_me]

After reading several opinions of the Founding Fathers on how democracies are self-destructive and that republics are the most optimal form of government, I became interested in learning more about ancient democracies and how they faltered. Does anyone know of any good books about this subject--specifically about how ancient democracies destroyed themselves? Thanks!

[Conza88]

Ancient Greece.

Put to death Socrates.. by vote. ;)

[nodope0695]

domocracy is evil. We live in a REPUBLIC.

[socialize_me]

...okay, so any books?

[axiomata]

Hamilton goes through a bunch of examples in the Federalist Papers. Might want to find out what sources he had access to.

[nodope0695]

...okay, so any books?

lol....I can't think of any off the top of my head....try Googling it.

[Primbs]

Here are two books about Cicero and it talks about the decline of the Roman Empire.

http://www.amazon.com/Cicero-Portrait-Bristol-Classical-Paperbacks/dp/0862920515/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231174433&sr=1-1


http://www.amazon.com/Cicero-Times-Romes-Greatest-Politician/dp/037575895X
/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1231174136&sr=1-1

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decline_of_the_Roman_Empire

[nullvalu]

I haven't read it (yet) but "The Republic" by Plato may be what you're looking for. It was one of the first books that discussed a democracy with checks & balances and Rome eventually adopted some of this platform. Again, I haven't read it but I know it had major "flaws" as we would consider how we define liberty. But it's probably a good starting point for you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_(Plato)

[Conza88]

I haven't read it (yet) but "The Republic" by Plato may be what you're looking for. It was one of the first books that discussed a democracy with checks & balances and Rome eventually adopted some of this platform. Again, I haven't read it but I know it had major "flaws" as we would consider how we define liberty. But it's probably a good starting point for you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_(Plato)

I've read it awhile back. Plato - central planner, social engineer wannabe.

Doesn't deal with democracy from memory.