"Berlusconi and Bush, Derrida and Balibar, European communist parties and Hamas - today we are all democrats. But what remains in the concept of democracy?"

(Wendy Brown)

The word "democracy" seems to have an extensive consensus today. However, the meaning, or meanings, of this word provoke disputes. In this book, eight leading thinkers of our time attempt to define the fundamental political and philosophical parameters that determine the concept of democracy, starting from the following question: do you consider yourself a "democrat"? If not, why? And if yes, according to which interpretation, with what content of the word?

In this book, we will not find the definition of democracy, nor instructions for use, nor, even more, a verdict for or against democracy. The common denominator of the thinking of the eight philosophers is that democracy is not limited to the ballot box. Their opinions are clear, different from each other, even contradictory: this word, however troubled it may be considered, cannot be abandoned - it is the axis around which, from the time of Plato until today, the political dialogue and the strategy for improving the life that the world attempts revolve.