The Future of Freedom

Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad

By: Fareed Zakaria

Narrated by: Ned Schmidtke

Length: 10 hrs and 3 mins

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)

Not updated

Please note that this audio version is NOT the updated edition of the book that is available on Amazon.

Very thorough and completely educational

Fareed Zakaria communicates a tremendous amount of knowledge and historical perspective plus reflection about the worlds and especially our democratic foundation. His theoretical explanation of what is going on in today’s culture, government, economic personality and society in general are brilliant. I found this book very helpful for dealing with and understanding the dilemmas of our times.

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.

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

wonderful

I enjoyed this book immrnsely. I learned much from it that I had not known before now.

Well-written, but history not current events

My only qualm -- and this is on me, not the author -- is I was expecting a topical read. But since this was written in 2003, this is not it. When I think of Zakaria, I think of a news guy, so it didn't occur to me to check the date of publication. I just assumed it was recent. News, of course, eventually becomes history. And that's what this book is. A history primarily of countries in flux -- changing from autocracies to liberal democracies.

For a book with "future" in the title, there aren't many predictions of what it would be like. So there's no fun comparisons to make between what Zakaria thought it would be and what it is now. That said, this is a good, informative read of the world in the early 21st century. A definite recommend.

Hindisght

Many of the general points made have a grounding in reality. The predictions made are wildly off especially concerning China and its path. Worth the listen regardless

Every Grandchild should Read

I have Several of Zakaria’s Books each one better than the other I plan on sending the Audio book to my 3 grandchildren. A must read for anyone growing up in the modern world.

excellent

good observations about weaknesses of democracy

oddly, people don't realize

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