Ebook: Forged through fire: war, peace, and the democratic bargain

Peace, many would agree, is a goal that democratic nations should strive toachieve. But is democracy, in fact, dependent on war to survive? Consideringthis question, two of our most celebrated political scientists trace the shockingways in which governments have mobilized armies since antiquity, discovering that ourmodern form of democracy not only evolved in a brutally competitive environment butalso was quickly excised when the powerful and elite no longer needed their citizenry todefend against existential threats. Bringing to vivid life many of the major battles thatshaped our world today, the authors show how centralized monarchies replaced feudalism,why dictatorships can mobilize large forces but often fail at long-term militarycampaigns, and how drone warfare has already weakened American democracy. In thespirit of Francis Fukuyama and Niall Ferguson, this book promises to have far-reachingimplications and become the centerpiece of debate for years to come.