Democracy Kills

by Humphrey Hawksley

Book by Hawksley, Humphrey

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, Current Affairs, India

397 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2009

About the author

Humphrey is an award-winning author, podcaster and journalist whose assignments with the BBC have taken him to crises all over the world. The three books in his future history series -- Dragonstrike, Dragonfire and The Third World War -- have been praised as authentic, catastrophic scenarios which begin with a Chinese strike in the South China Sea. His Rake Ozenna espionage thriller series is set in the Arctic and High North, beginning with Man on Ice and a Russian invasion of the Alaskan island of Little Diomede. Rake is an island native and a special forces veteran with the Alaska National Guard. The late, great Nelson de Mille applauded Rake as being smart and tough, 'and we’re glad to have him on our side.' Humphrey's non-fiction work includes Democracy Kills: What’s So Good About Having The Vote, published during the Iraq civil war and Asian Waters: The Struggle over the Indo-Pacific and the Challenge to American Power which examines the impact of Chinese expansion in Asia. Humphrey hosts the bi-monthly Democracy Forum Debates. His work has appeared in most mainstream media outlets and he has been guest lecturer at universities and think tanks such as the RAND Corporation, The Center for Strategic and International Studies and MENSA Cambridge. He moderates the Democracy Forum Debates on international issues and is a host of the Goldster Magazine Show and podcast.

Reviews

[Eda Ince · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have nothing much to say. I agree wholeheartedly with Hawksley. Definitely worth the read. However, I do feel this novel is VERY underrated. One problem I have is that he does not suggest an alternative method of a systematic structure of ruling. It's easy to pick out the flaws of democracy, and not advising an alternative system of ruling pretty much makes his comments---useless. BUT it is a good novel-definitely an eye opener to democracy activists.

[Lee Osborne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up some time ago, just after the UK voted for Brexit, which I'm convinced is the most catastrophically stupid decision my country has ever taken. The total mess it has left behind has damaged my faith in politics so much that I'm tempted to never vote again.

The book itself questions the perceived wisdom that Western style liberal democracies are always the best form of government. Constant foreign intervention in the developing world has had very mixed results. The author visits many countries around the world looking at the various systems of government in place and whether they successfully deliver. The conclusion is a bit vague, which is why I haven't rated it higher, but it's certainly thought provoking, especially in the light of Trump's election victory. Ultimately the author argues it is not democracy itself that delivers, but stable, well-developed institutions, relationships and trade networks. Without them, democracy is likely to fail.

Interesting read, although I think it's left me with more questions than answers, and I'm still not sure what to make of the crazy state of the world at the moment. That said, the world is changing so fast right now it's almost impossible to keep up...

[Jade · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book talks about various political situations around the globe -- in particular why and how democracy is not (and will likely never be) the ultimate goal in political development for many countries -- with great clarity and examples from the author's own investigations.

I enjoyed the book thoroughly, despite not being a non-fiction fan at all. A wonderful read; it helped me think about what I feel about global politics, and shape my political thinking. This book is an asset if you wish to contribute meaningfully at intellectual dinner parties.

[!Tæmbuŝu]

KOBOBOOKS

Reviewed by The Independent

[Sherif Hazem · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read.

The author asks you a simple question: what's so good about having a vote ? or is it better to live in Cuba or Haiti ?

He claims that democracy is pointless, and will add very little to your well being, unless you first establish sound institutions. Otherwise, democracy will do no good but for fostering corruption and chaos. He also suggest that trade, health care and good education (Asia) can lead to prosperity and usually overshadows the need to vote for too many societies.

He went through a tour around the globe to meet people, ranging from extremely marginalized ones to political leaders. He made an example of every country he visited as as to prove his point.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

true, with great examples that truly depict the horrors of a democracy.