Democracy

Stories from the Long Road to Freedom

By: Condoleezza Rice

Narrated by: Condoleezza Rice

From the former secretary of state and bestselling author -- a sweeping look at the global struggle for democracy and why America must continue to support the cause of human freedom.

"This heartfelt and at times very moving book shows why democracy proponents are so committed to their work...Both supporters and skeptics of democracy promotion will come away from this book wiser and better informed." -- The New York Times

From the end of the Cold War and the collapse of the Soviet Union to the ongoing struggle for human rights in the Middle East, Condoleezza Rice has served on the front lines of history. As a child, she was an eyewitness to a third awakening of freedom, when her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, became the epicenter of the civil rights movement for black Americans.

In this book, Rice explains what these epochal events teach us about democracy. At a time when people around the world are wondering whether democracy is in decline, Rice shares insights from her experiences as a policymaker, scholar, and citizen, in order to put democracy's challenges into perspective.

When the United States was founded, it was the only attempt at self-government in the world. Today more than half of all countries qualify as democracies, and in the long run that number will continue to grow. Yet nothing worthwhile ever comes easily. Using America's long struggle as a template, Rice draws lessons for democracy around the world -- from Russia, Poland, and Ukraine, to Kenya, Colombia, and the Middle East. She finds that no transitions to democracy are the same because every country starts in a different place. Pathways diverge and sometimes circle backward. Time frames for success vary dramatically, and countries often suffer false starts before getting it right. But, Rice argues, that does not mean they should not try. While the ideal conditions for democracy are well known in academia, they never exist in the real world. The question is not how to create perfect circumstances but how to move forward under difficult ones.

These same insights apply in overcoming the challenges faced by governments today. The pursuit of democracy is a continuing struggle shared by people around the world, whether they are opposing authoritarian regimes, establishing new democratic institutions, or reforming mature democracies to better live up to their ideals. The work of securing it is never finished.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Critic reviews

"This heartfelt and at times very moving book shows why democracy proponents are so committed to their work...Both supporters and skeptics of democracy promotion will come away from this book wiser and better informed."—Walter Russell Mead, The New York Times

"This book is both critically important and profoundly inspiring. With democracy challenged around the world, Condoleezza Rice bears witness to its moral force. Drawing lessons from her childhood in Birmingham to her tenure as Secretary of State, she shows why both our interests and our ideals compel us to be in the forefront of the fight for democracy, however fitful it may be. Everyone should read this book. It will restore your faith in our nation's creed and remind you of the nobility of our mission in this world."—Walter Isaacson, professor of history at Tulane University and New York Times bestselling author of Steve Jobs, Einstein, and Leonardo Da Vinci

"Condoleezza Rice serves as an able and insightful guide in this journey through democracy across the globe. Her knowledge and clear-eyed assessment of the challenges facing this system of government make this book an important contribution to a pressing debate on democracy today."—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; font: 12.0px Arial}Kofi Annan, former secretary-general of the United Nations

"[An] accessibly written study of that imperfect but ideal form of government...[One that] deserves a broad audience, especially in our current political climate."—Kirkus Starred Review

"At a time when democracy appears to be in retreat around the globe, Condoleezza Rice's DEMOCRACY: Stories From the Long Road to Freedom offers a much-needed corrective. Weaving effortlessly between academic analysis and personal experiences-from Professor Rice to Secretary of State Rice and back again-Condi draws upon a series of case studies to offer a fresh perspective to how democracies emerge, how they sometimes endure but sometimes collapse, and especially why patience is required from us in observing and participating in the democracy-building process. A fantastic read!"—p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center; font: 12.0px Arial}Professor Michael McFaul, director, Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies, Stanford University

"[A] ringing call for democracy promotion...Ms. Rice should be commended."—Max Boot, The Wall Street Journal

Approachable

This book helped me realize that when politics isn't bellowed through the loud voices of angry men, I actually enjoy it.

Considerate and insightful

Any additional comments?

A very thoughtful book from former Secretary of State, Condoleezza Rice. Rice uses her own personal experiences in a number of countries (including the United States) to discuss the factors at play in successful democracies and highlighting the difficulty of creating and maintaining democracies. From her childhood in the Jim Crow south all the way to the populist world elections of 2016, she explores the dangers to democracy and the tenant that it is something that should be encouraged and fought for. Her vantage point as parts of both Bush 41 and Bush 43's administrations allows insight into the challenges that faced a reconstituted Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, Kenya, Iraq, Egypt, Liberia, and Columbia (among others). Some of her points have been made in more depth and academic rigor (particularly in Frances Fukuyama's books on political order), but this book acts as a less dense and more approachable look at the steady march of democracy across the globe. She stresses that while there are setbacks and no democracy is ever perfected, but a continuous work in progress, that Churchill was right about democracy "being the worst form of government, except for all the others." For those looking for some details from the inside about the turmoil and mistakes in Iraq, that is discussed (though not as fully as some might like). In the end, this is a considered and careful evaluation of democracy in the late 20th and early 21st century and a challenge to the United States to continue to support burgeoning democracy, to turn aside from isolationism and the like, and to continue to try to live up to our best principles.

Excellent!

Comprehensive overview of several nations' struggle for democracy that works for them and why the US should support their efforts.

Expert

She is world leader material. Too bad she is smart enough not to get into politics.

One of the best books on political policy

Learning about successes and failures of democracy as a governing framework was very enlightening. I think everyone in the world would benefit from reading this book. Ms. Rice makes the struggle for democracy real through fascinating personal anecdotes. Her final chapter on lessons learned distilled the principles shown in the book.