• The Future of Freedom

  • Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad
  • By: Fareed Zakaria
  • Narrated by: Ned Schmidtke
  • Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (382 ratings)

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The Future of Freedom

By: Fareed Zakaria
Narrated by: Ned Schmidtke
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Publisher's summary

More democracy means more freedom. Or does it?

American democracy is, in many people's minds, 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. Members of the Supreme Court and the Federal Reserve, institutions that fundamentally shape our lives, are appointed, not elected. The Bill of Rights enumerates a set of privileges to which citizens are entitled, no matter what the majority says. By restricting our democracy, we enhance our freedom.

©2003 Fareed Zakaria (P)2003 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A work of tremendous originality and insight." (Washington Post)
"Thought-provoking and timely." (Publishers Weekly)
"A very thoughtful and intelligent book." (Peter Jennings)
"A provocative critique of political trends fast democratizing the entire globe." (Booklist)

What listeners say about The Future of Freedom

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Superb Survey of Modern Democratic Issues

First, it is a disappointment that Fareed Zakaria doesn't read this--he has an engaging voice. Regardless, this is an important, rich, thoughful and nuanced work. About the best quick preparation for understanding the roots of democracies and republics and the challenges we face on a global scale in making the case for 'our' form of government. Fascinating history, too!

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25 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

oddly, people don't realize

that this is NOT a democracy -- it's a republic. Very very different.

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10 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent review of democracy and liberty

I won't bother to summarize. Listen to the book. I can't believe some of the other reviewers actually listened to this book. The author is very careful to define democracy and republic, and to distinguish between the different types of democracies. He emphasizes how constitutional safeguards to liberty are essential, and how "too much" democracy can undermine these. But don't rely on my feeble attempts to describe it. Listen to it. You'll be glad you did.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Insight to the U.S. political system

It takes a while to get started but the background is necessary to understanding and appreciate the author's analysis of how the best of intentions to increase freedoms and political participation by more people have not gone as planned. The author offers some insight as to the problems sought to be corrected, what went wrong, and some ideas of what needs to be done. A very good book for those interested in the political processes taking place in America today

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

One sided history views.

To the author the USA has a perfect economical and geopolitical system and sets the standard to witch other mainly third words countries should strive. The problem with this view is the lack of space to any improvement and any embitterment of capitalism. Furthermore the author sees the problem as a technical problem, and that all third world countries should do is follow a set of rules or paths to achieve liberty and freedom.
PROBLEM: Were is the economic freedom?? How can any country achieve any level of freedom with no equal economic rights? The author also conveniently ignores the atrocities committed by the west and their repeated roll in crushing any attempts of real democracy (liberty and economic) in the third world..

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Future of Freedom

This was an excellent study of what liberty is really about. Democracy does not ensure liberty and the author outlines the necessary elements to a successful LIBERAL Democracy.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Excellent Audio Book

This book ties-in so well with current events. Although the US attempt to create a democratic government in Iraq is not specifically covered, this book will definitely help clarify the challenges the US faces in attempting to create a "democratic Iraq". Of course, many other "current events" topics will come to mind as you listen to this fascinating book.

Excellent narrator... very interesting topics... I highly recommend this audio book.

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A bit dated now but.....

A bit dated now but fantastic background and primer to a very broad subject. I would heartily suggest to anyone

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A well-explained uncomfortable but hopeful truth

It is impossible to understand our present without reviewing our past. The history of freedom and democracy has so many interlaced edges but Fareed Zakaria’s description tells a story of the everlasting (in)balance between human’s self satisfaction and social respect.

Ned Schmidtke delivers a flawless telling, made me feel it was a personal chat with a wide, experienced thought leader.

I believe that anyone who would like to undertake our quick-changing world and share an educated opinion should read this book.

In addition to just understanding our present, this book is also helpful to foresee political and economic scenarios in your own country so that you can identify and assess what you need to be free and having a quality of life despite local democracy.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

TERRIBLE READER

The content of Mr. Zakaria's work is great but the reader is one of the worst I've heard to date. His over-emphasis on enunciation of every consonant and syllable of every word is distracting (particularly w/the word "democratic" which occurs frequently). He reads too slow and in a tone of voice that makes me feel like I'm back in Sunday school. I have to struggle to pay attention and NOT just want to turn it off, go buy the book, and read it myself! I would rather have listened to Mr Zakaria himself.

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2 people found this helpful