This timely and fascinating historical study of democracy in non-Western societies will increase the reader's appreciation of the continued struggle for democratic change and independence that still occurs in many countries all over the world. Clearly written and extremely readable, this book provides a scholarly perspective on democracy and despotism, explores events and ideologies in various non-Western areas such as India, Africa, Mesopotamia, Korea, and Japan, and it offers some new and important thoughts in recent developments around the world.