The Future of Freedom

Illiberal Democracy at Home and Abroad

By: Fareed Zakaria

Narrated by: Ned Schmidtke

More democracy means more freedom. Or does it?

American democracy is, in many people's minds, the model for the rest of the world. Fareed Zakaria points out that the American form of democracy is one of the least democratic in use today. Members of the Supreme Court and the Federal Reserve, institutions that fundamentally shape our lives, are appointed, not elected. The Bill of Rights enumerates a set of privileges to which citizens are entitled, no matter what the majority says. By restricting our democracy, we enhance our freedom.

©2003 Fareed Zakaria (P)2003 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"A work of tremendous originality and insight." (Washington Post)
"Thought-provoking and timely." (Publishers Weekly)
"A very thoughtful and intelligent book." (Peter Jennings)
"A provocative critique of political trends fast democratizing the entire globe." (Booklist)

An Amazing Book - A Must Read

An absolutely amazing book every American needs to read. Discussed is the difference between a democracy, a representative republic, and a constitutional republic. Why constitutions are good at defending individual freedoms and why democracy and majority rule (w/out a constitution) tend to degrade them.

It is not only a philosophical discussion; there is a historical and practical focus on how governments have implemented these principles across the globe with a strong focus on the U.S. It dives as deep as the referendum process allowing the people to directly pass and recall legislation in California and how that circumvention of the elected officials can lead to the mass pandering, ineffective government we have today.

One of the most interesting aspects was the economic statistical characteristics present when democratic governments fail or succeed.

One of my top 10 recommended reads.

The Future Freedom of Democracy.

This is a fascinating book with a bias for "Liberal Democracy". It's similar to what I would call a "Constitutional Republic".
It would be interesting to juxtapose Postmodernism with this as I believe they each are responsible for the unraveling of society.
This is one of the most important books I've read lately. It goes well with, "The Sky is Not Falling" by Charles Colson.

illiberal democracy

best explanation of illiberal vs liberal democracy. read this after you read "atlas shrugged" to clear your mind

TERRIBLE READER

The content of Mr. Zakaria's work is great but the reader is one of the worst I've heard to date. His over-emphasis on enunciation of every consonant and syllable of every word is distracting (particularly w/the word "democratic" which occurs frequently). He reads too slow and in a tone of voice that makes me feel like I'm back in Sunday school. I have to struggle to pay attention and NOT just want to turn it off, go buy the book, and read it myself! I would rather have listened to Mr Zakaria himself.

Superb Survey of Modern Democratic Issues

First, it is a disappointment that Fareed Zakaria doesn't read this--he has an engaging voice. Regardless, this is an important, rich, thoughful and nuanced work. About the best quick preparation for understanding the roots of democracies and republics and the challenges we face on a global scale in making the case for 'our' form of government. Fascinating history, too!

Outstanding!

What a delightful, informative, thought-provoking body of work Mr. Zakaria has created. Includes ideas from early Greece to the critique of the BOMC, spans global and local politics. Excellently read by Mr. Schmidtke's. A 'must' listen.

Play it again, Fareed....again

epic struggle to complete. highly repetive. so many ways to articulate the argument that the over- democratization of any process is counter productive....including democracy itself. one need only look at the chaos the original Brexit referendum has produced in the UK. should the US federal reserve hold a democratic referendum on raising interest rates? if so, a vote from a college drop out, stay at home dad in suburban Dallas Texas would count as much as a PhD economist at the USMC war college in Quantico, Va.....probably not a strong call.

A well-explained uncomfortable but hopeful truth

It is impossible to understand our present without reviewing our past. The history of freedom and democracy has so many interlaced edges but Fareed Zakaria’s description tells a story of the everlasting (in)balance between human’s self satisfaction and social respect.

Ned Schmidtke delivers a flawless telling, made me feel it was a personal chat with a wide, experienced thought leader.

I believe that anyone who would like to undertake our quick-changing world and share an educated opinion should read this book.

In addition to just understanding our present, this book is also helpful to foresee political and economic scenarios in your own country so that you can identify and assess what you need to be free and having a quality of life despite local democracy.

Great Book... Terrible Narrator

What did you love best about The Future of Freedom?

Great arguements. Very relevant to the disfunction we are seeing today in many democracies. Very engaging style of writing.

Would you be willing to try another one of Ned Schmidtke’s performances?

Definitely not. Worst narrator I have ever heard. Could not even pronounce the author's name. Got several place names very wrong (such as Mumbai) and the occasional word too. Worst was IRA (the retirement plan)... "Ira [Hayes]". I listened to the book

Still relavent

This book maintains relevancy, in fact, more relevant now that when it was written 15 years ago.