American Democracy and the Authoritarian Tradition of the West

Can democracy succeed in the new Europe? Will democracy follow the abandonment of one-party government? The American challenge to European authoritarianism is examined in historical perspective. The book argues against the traditional historical view that the origins of democracy can be found in the British parliamentary tradition and in the 18th century Enlightenment. Describes with great historical detail how democracy was a native growth in America supported by local conditions, distance from British Empire, and necessity. By contrast, the author contends that the European tradition of governance since the 17th century had been one of consistent and intensifying authoritarianism. Ultimately, the democratic challenge to European authoritarianism came from America.