What Is Democracy?(2019)

Name: What Is Democracy?
Director: Astra Taylor
Genre: Documentary
Released: Jan 16, 2019
Cast: Astra Taylor, Silvia Federici, Eleni Perdikouri

Zeitgeist Films

1h 47m
- Documentary

Release Date: Jan 16, 2019

This documentary examines the philosophy behind the concept of Democracy, from ancient Athens to modern Greece and the American Civil Rights movement.

Official Website

Release Details

Original Release | Jan 16, 2019 | Limited

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Box Office Results

Results

Opening Weekend US & Canada:
$6,284
Total US & Canada:
$44,536
Total Worldwide:
$44,536

Current Showtimes

orround

Wed Sep 2
Thu Sep 3
Fri Sep 4
Sat Sep 5
Sun Sep 6
Mon Sep 7
Tue Sep 8

Director & Top Cast

Astra Taylor
Director

Astra Taylor
Self

Silvia Federici
Self - Feminist Scholar and Activist

Eleni Perdikouri
Self - Professor of Philosophy

Other Details

Country of Origin: Canada

Language: English,Greek,Arabic,Spanish,Latin

Summaries

Storyline

The concept of democracy is presented in light of democratic societies being under attack in present day. Academics and historians discuss the ancient Greek origins of the concept, which in its broadest terms means, "for the people, by the people". A wide range of people, from politicians, academics to a diverse array of the general public, discuss the concept from their own perspective. Those in the former two groups generally see issues in present day democracy in the imbalances in society, where those in authority or who control the flow of money, such as banks, have more power, while those who don't may fall prey to demagogues who twist the concept for their own political self interests. They also state that anyone can use the concept for their own personal benefit as opposed to democracy being seen somewhat inherent to a greater good. While democracy more closely equates to either the notion of one person/one vote or majority rule, many, if asked, mistakenly equate it with other aspirational concepts, such as justice, equity, freedom or specifically for Americans what they have coined "the American dream". Some of those academics and politicians argue that majority rule is an outdated ideal in that if that be the case, things like slavery would still exist. They therefore argue whether people really want a truly democratic society in its purest form, and if a pure democracy really is workable in any society. — Huggo