University Lecturer in the History of Political Thought at the University of Cambridge

In The Struggle for Democracy Christopher Meckstroth demonstrates that any democratic theory deserving of the name must also be a theory of democratic change. Through rigorous and insightful engagements with Socrates, Kant, and Hegel, Meckstroth's book sets the course for a promising new form of democratic theorizing, one focused on historically elaborated explorations of popular political judgment. (Jason Frank, author of Constituent Moments: Enacting the People in Post-Revolutionary America)

Christopher Meckstroth forcefully argues for a non-reified, reflexive understanding of democracy. He redirects our view from institutional ideals to the autonomous discursive processes that lie at the heart of the concept of rule by the people. The way he develops his 'Socratic' approach in dialogue with classic authors and contemporary politics is highly original and an exemplar of the powers of political theory. (Rainer Forst, Professor of Political Theory and Philosophy, Goethe University Frankfurt)

The Socratic elenchus, or critical examination of arguments in their own terms, becomes the democratic elenchus in Christopher Meckstroth's extraordinary and impressive new book. Radically antifoundational in both philosophy and application, Meckstroth's theory leads us away from the search for the best democratic institutions and toward the critical comparison of real-life political alternatives. Along the way we enjoy important new readings in the history of philosophy, including a brilliant interpretation of Kant's theoretical and practical work. The Struggle for Democracy is a must-read. (Elisabeth Ellis, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of Otago)