“Not more democracy, but less”

Zakaria’s purpose is to educate the reader on the broad history of democratic theory. He calls for a new balance of thinking. Zakaria’s view is that democracy, as power-down populism, in its political, economic, and even cultural manifestations, has gone too far. Instead, he argues for a return to “self control” and balanced thinking with respect to the concepts of democracy and liberty and their practical applications for governing. The book’s main purpose is to draw attention to the history of illiberal or constitutional liberalism. That is, political systems that balance individual liberty and freedom, and “illiberal” representative governing institutions. In addition to free and fair elections, illiberal governing includes the rule of law and separation of powers, as well as the basic liberal freedoms of speech, religion, assembly, and property. In short, Zakaria provides a civics lesson for his readers in the context of current events and challenges for governing institutions in all corners of the globe.