The Future of Freedom: Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad

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Liberty and Democracy. The two go hand in hand in popular thinking. We believe that the answer to our problems is always more democracy. More democracy means more freedom. But does it? At a time when democracy is the one political system whose legitimacy is unquestioned, this deeply important book points out the tension between democracy and freedom. It ranges widely through the past and the present to remind us that we can have too much of a good thing. In many people’s minds, American democracy is the model for the rest of the world. Fareed Zakaria points out that the American form of democracy is one of the least democratic in use today. American government today is more democratic that ever before—and also more dysfunctional. As he examines the world’s other great democracies such as those in India and Britain, he comes up with equally arresting insights. For example, he argues that in many parts of the world, the spread of democracy has not produced a corresponding growth in liberty. From Russia to Venezuela to the Palestinian Authority, we see instead a strange creature—the elected autocrat. Societies, particularly in the Arab world, are trapped between repressive dictatorships and fanatical masses. Is there a way out? There is. Fareed Zakaria argues thatby restricting our democracy, we enhance our freedom and calls for a restoration of the balance between liberty and democracy. He shows how liberal democracy has to be made effective and relevant for our times. Woodrow Wilson said the challenge of the twentieth century was to make the world safe for democracy. As we enter the twenty-first century, this timely book challenges us to make democracy safe for the world. This book is on the New York Times Bestsellers List ‘Mr Zakaria’s complex argument is particularly relevant today.’ —New York Times ‘[A] brave and ambitious book … it deserves a wide readership.’ —The New York Times Book Review ‘With elegance and insight, Fareed Zakaria sets forth for our times a fundamental truth previously articulated by Aristotle and Tocqueville: unregulated democracy undermines liberty and the rule of law. The Future of Freedom is one of the most important books on global political trends to appear in the past decade. Its sobering analysis has vital lessons for all of us concerned with freedom’s future in the world.’ —Samuel P. Huntington ‘Fareed Zakaria, one of the most brilliant young writers, has produced a fascinating and thought-provoking book on the impact of Western constitutional principles on the global order.’ —Henry Kissinger ‘In this incisive book, Fareed Zakaria asks searching questions and offers provocative answers. The Future of Freedom is an impressive contribution to our understanding of the crises of democracy that lie darkly ahead.’ —Arthur M. Schlesinger, Jr.