The Secret History of Democracy

This book explores the intriguing idea that there is much more democracy in human history than is generally acknowledged. It establishes that democracy was developing across greater Asia before classical Athens, clung on during the ‘Dark Ages’, often formed part of indigenous governance and is developing today in unexpected ways.

BENJAMIN ISAKHAN is Research Fellowat the Centre for Dialogue, La Trobe University, Australia. He is the author of several publications including Democracy in Iraq: History, Politics and Discourse (2010).

STEPHEN STOCKWELLis Professor of Journalism and Communication at Griffith University's Gold Coast campus, Australia. He was previously a journalist with 4ZZZ, TripleJ and Four Corners and a political campaign media consultant. He is author of All-Media Guide to Cross-Cultural Reporting (with Paul Scott) and Political Campaign Strategy (2005).