Although his extensive bibliography is devoid of any scientific reference, Richard C. Lyons nevertheless titles his examination of democracy The DNA of Democracy. It is a curious omission because Lyons constructs an analogy between liberal democracy as the desired foundation of human society and the concept of DNA as the biological substructure of life. Perhaps he assumes that while his readers will have some understanding of genetics, they may not be quite so clear about the urge towards individual freedom which, he argues, has been carried in most human hearts from antiquity.

Once the analogy is drawn, Lyons presents two separate types of DNA: the “DNA of Freedom” and the “DNA of Tyranny”. Democracy is shown to be a reaction against “intolerable acts of tyranny”, and with this premise as his basic argument, Lyons embarks on an interesting, perhaps slightly selective, historical survey, stretching from the time of the pharaohs to the development of a highly individualistic American society—a society, Lyons points out, naturally given to the pursuit of freedom.

Although the analogy with genetics may not be entirely convincing, The DNA of Democracy is a very well written and energetic book. It may remind us of what is already known, but it does so in an attractive and engaging manner. In the second part of the presentation, the focus is directed exclusively on America, its early history and the growth of its social institutions. This could result in content which perhaps could be slightly difficult to get through, but Richard C. Lyons has the ability to infuse unusual vitality into his writing and presents the general reader with an enjoyable and stimulating experience.

Reviewed by Judith Rook for Readers’ Favorite

Although his extensive bibliography is innocent of any scientific reference, Richard C. Lyons nevertheless titles his examination of democracy “The DNA of Democracy”. It is a curious omission, because Lyons constructs an analogy between liberal democracy as the desired foundation of human society and the concept of DNA as the biological substructure of life.

Perhaps he assumes that while his readers will have some understanding of genetics, they may not be quite so clear about the urge towards individual freedom which, he argues, has been carried in most human hearts from antiquity. Once the analogy is drawn, Lyons presents two separate types of DNA: the “DNA of Freedom” and the “DNA of Tyranny”.

Democracy is shown to be a reaction against “intolerable acts of tyranny”, and with this premise as his basic argument, Lyons embarks on an interesting, perhaps slightly selective, historical survey, stretching from the time of the Pharaohs to the development of a highly individualistic American society—a society, Lyons points out, naturally given to the pursuit of freedom.

Although the analogy with genetics may not be entirely convincing, “The DNA of Democracy” is a very well written and energetic book. It may remind us of what is already known, but it does so in an attractive and engaging manner. In the second part of the presentation, the focus is directed exclusively on America, its early history and the growth of its social institutions. This could result in content which perhaps could be slightly difficult to get through, but Richard C. Lyons has the ability to infuse unusual vitality into his writing, and presents the general reader with an enjoyable and stimulating experience.