Democracy May Not Exist, But We'll Miss It When It's Gone

Astra Taylor examines what democracy means and whether it has ever truly existed. While democracy is invoked everywhere, it faces crises globally—from plutocratic influence in government to gerrymandering and campaign finance issues. Taylor argues that real democracy, fully inclusive and completely egalitarian, has never actually existed. Using a blend of philosophy and anecdote, Taylor weaves together history, theory, individual stories, and interviews with thinkers including Cornel West and Wendy Brown to reexamine the concept. She explores fundamental questions: Is democracy a process or a set of outcomes? Can non-democratic means achieve outcomes like peace, equality, or liberty? Where should democratic principles apply? What does it mean to rule, and who counts as the people? The book identifies democracy's inherent paradoxes and examines why the principle is difficult to realize despite being worth pursuing. Taylor offers insight into what is possible, what we want, and the invisible assumptions underlying our understanding of democracy.