Republic

Review of David Stasavage, Rise and Decline of Democracy

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The central argument of the book is that while strong bureaucratic structures are often associated with authoritarian regimes, their absence in Europe during the Middle Ages played a crucial role in the development of democratic practices.

The book focuses on how the strong central structure, which lay behind the success of the eastern states in the early and medieval ages, distanced the rulers from negotiations with other centers of power. The book challenges traditional assumptions about the relationship between economic development and democracy. It argues that Europe’s initial technological backwardness compared to Asia actually created an environment where rulers struggled to efficiently tax their citizens. This lack of control, according to the book, opened space for negotiation and compromise, fostering the development of democratic institutions.

Here are some of the key points highlighted in the review:

  • Importance of Bureaucracy: The book emphasizes the role of bureaucracy in enabling rulers to efficiently extract taxes and maintain control. Without a strong bureaucratic apparatus, European rulers were forced to negotiate with their subjects.
  • Europe’s Advantage in Backwardness: The review argues that Europe’s technological shortcomings compared to other regions, like China and the Middle East, ironically benefitted the development of democracy. The lack of sophisticated tools for surveying land and monitoring production made it difficult for European rulers to impose strict control.
  • Alternative Sources of Democracy: The book challenges the idea that democracy solely originated from Greek and Roman traditions. It explores the possibility that Germanic tribal practices, which emphasized assemblies and councils, also played a part.

However, it seems that especially in states such as the Ottoman Empire, the writer ignored events such as military classes as the janissaries becoming interested in merchants and acting as representatives of the merchant class.

Overall, the review suggests this book offers a fresh perspective on the historical emergence of democracy. It highlights the complex interplay between technological advancements, economic factors, and political structures in shaping governmental systems.