A Cultural History of Democracy in the Medieval Age

This book explores the cultural history of democracy in the medieval age, highlighting a wide variety of ideas, practices, and institutions that played a significant role in the history of democracy, despite the dominant attitude of hostility. It covers almost 1,000 years and a wide range of territories, adopting a broad cultural approach and structured thematically.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

This comprehensive volume delves into the rich tapestry of medieval cultural history, contending that the Middle Ages warrant inclusion in a broader narrative of democracy. While the term itself was seldom used during this era, a prevailing sentiment of hostility permeated the prevailing mindset, and none of the medieval polities self-identified as democracies. Nevertheless, this study uncovers a diverse array of ideas, practices, procedures, and institutions that, while distinct from their ancient predecessor (direct democracy) and modern successor (liberal representative democracy), played a pivotal role in the evolution of democracy. Spanning nearly a millennium and encompassing a diverse array of territories, this volume explores the phenomenon from the local to the universal realm. Adopting a broad cultural approach, the book is organized thematically, with each chapter focusing on a specific theme. These ten themes, when combined, provide an extensive and synoptic coverage of the subject matter.

The first theme, sovereignty, examines the concept of political authority and its various manifestations in medieval society. It explores the role of kings, bishops, and other political figures in governing and maintaining order, as well as the challenges and controversies surrounding their power.

The second theme, liberty and the rule of law, delves into the principles of individual freedom and the enforcement of legal norms. It explores the concept of due process, the rights of individuals, and the role of courts and legal institutions in safeguarding these rights.

The third theme, the common good, examines the pursuit of collective welfare and the distribution of resources in medieval society. It explores the role of charitable institutions, social welfare programs, and the concept of justice in ensuring the well-being of all members of society.

The fourth theme, economic and social democracy, explores the economic and social systems that characterized medieval society. It examines the role of merchants, traders, and artisans, as well as the emergence of capitalism and the development of trade networks.

The fifth theme, religion and the principles of political obligation, examines the relationship between religion and politics in medieval society. It explores the role of the church in shaping moral values, the influence of religious institutions on political power, and the challenges and controversies surrounding religious tolerance and conflict.

The sixth theme, citizenship and gender, explores the roles and rights of women and men in medieval society. It examines the concept of gender equality, the legal status of women, and the challenges and controversies surrounding women's participation in political and social life.

The seventh theme, ethnicity, race, and nationalism, examines the complex dynamics of identity and belonging in medieval society. It explores the role of race, ethnicity, and religion in shaping social hierarch
structures, the emergence of national identities, and the challenges and controversies surrounding ethnic and racial discrimination and conflict.

The eighth theme, democratic crises, revolutions, and civil resistance, explores the periods of political instability and social upheaval that characterized medieval history. It examines the causes the role of political leaders, social movements, and popular uprisings in shaping political change, the emergence of new political ideologies, and the challenges and controversies surrounding democratic governance and the rule of law.

The ninth theme, international relations, examines the complex web of relationships and interactions between medieval societies and the broader world. It explores the role of trade, diplomacy, and warfare in shaping global politics, the emergence of international organizations and alliances, and the challenges and controversies surrounding the concept of universal human rights and the international law.

The tenth and final theme, the scalability of democracy beyond the limits of a single city, explores the potential for democracy to transcend the boundaries of individual cities and regions. It examines the role of urbanization, the spread of literacy, and the development of communication technologies in shaping the spread of democratic ideas and practices, as well as the challenges and controversies surrounding the democratic governance of large and diverse societies.

In conclusion, this comprehensive volume offers a rich and nuanced exploration of the cultural history of democracy in the medieval age. It demonstrates that, while the term itself was seldom employed during this era, the Middle Ages were a period of significant political and social transformation that laid the foundation for many of the democratic principles and institutions that we observe today. By adopting a broad cultural approach and examining the phenomenon from the local to the universal realm, this study provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the evolution of democracy and its enduring significance in shaping the world we live in.

Weight: 544g
Dimension: 169 x 243 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350440074