Modern Democracy's Roots in Early Islam? - John Keane September 22, 2009

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Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/08/24/John_Keane_Whats_So_Good_About_Democracy

Although the Greeks lay claim to the creation of democracy, author John Keane traces its origin back to Mesopotamia - an area that now includes Iraq and Iran. He also claims that early Muslims may have practiced a form of democratic rule.

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We fight wars to defend it, vote to uphold it and pride ourselves upon it. But what's so good about democracy?

In this wide-ranging talk, Professor John Keane, author of The Life and Death of Democracy, discusses the history of an evolving ideal that continues to shape our world, from the Ancients through to today. - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Australian-born John Keane is a professor of Politics in and founder of the Centre for the Study of Democracy at the University of Westminster. He also holds a chair at Wissenschaftszentrum in Berlin (WZB).

He is the author of several books including The Media and Democracy, Violence and Democracy and Global Civil Society?.