Details of Democracy (Chinese: 民主的细节：美国当代政治观察随笔) is a book by Chinese writer and political scientist Liu Yu. Originally published in 2009 as a collection of essays, the work explores the workings of American democracy to a Chinese audience.
| Author | Liu Yu |
|---|---|
| Original title | 民主的细节：美国当代政治观察随笔 |
| Language | Chinese |
| Publisher | Shanghai Sanlian Bookstore Co., Ltd. |
Publication date | June 2009 |
| Publication place | China |
| Media type | Print (Hardback & Paperback) |
| ISBN | 754-262-958-1 |
Originally a collection of essays written for her blog on the subject of American democracy, the book uses stories and anecdotes to explain the daily mechanisms of democracy. Liu Yu delves into aspects such as the legislative process, labor strikes, and the role of the media.
Details of Democracy was a bestseller, selling over 300,000 copies in Mainland China and was named Book of the Year by Southern Weekly, The Beijing News, Sina.com amongst other media.[1][2] The book earned Liu Yu the nickname "China's de Tocqueville," in reference to the French political thinker Alexis de Tocqueville who also analysed American democracy.[1]
Details of Democracy is considered a cornerstone of China's liberal intellectual movement. By offering a clear-eyed view of American democracy, the book sparked discussions about political participation and reform within China.[1][3]
Sections
editThe book is divided into five parts, "Power Checks and Balances", "Civil Society", "Welfare-Equality", "Rule of Law-Freedom" and "Characters".
References
edit- ^ a b c Johnson, Ian (3 February 2015). "How to Be a Chinese Democrat: An Interview with Liu Yu". The New York Review of Books. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ "清华大学政治学系" [Department of Political Science, Tsinghua University]. Archived from the original on 5 April 2011. Retrieved 19 April 2024.
- ^ Dirks, Emile (27 January 2015). "Details of Democracy 民主的细节 by Emile Dirks". China Open Research Network at the University of Toronto. Retrieved 19 April 2024.