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HANSEN, M.H., Was Athens a Democracy? Popular Rule, Liberty and Equality in Ancient and Modern Political Thought. Munksgaard, Copenhagen, 1989. 47p. Sewn. With gift intention for (Manfred) Horstmanshoff. Series: Det Kongelige Danske Videnskabernes Selskab, Historisk-filosofiske Meddelelser, 59. (Rare thus). From the library of M. Horstmanshoff. 'In this stimulating essay, Dr. Hansen argues that the differences between ancient 'demokratia' and modern democracy have been exaggerated, and are less great in 1989 that they were in the 1950s and 1960s. With the technological revolution, 'teledemocracy', a form of direct democracy may be upon us: (...) modern democracies are moving closer to their ancient counterparts in their exclusiveness about citizenship. It is however in considering democracy as a set of ideals rather than as a political system that H. detects the closest parallels. The major part of the essay is an extremely fruitful discussion of the ideological triad democracy-liberty-equality. (...) As ever, H. wields a formidable battery of sources in support of his positions, and his citation of secondary literature includes much from modern political theorists with whom classicists may be unfamiliar. The discussion is unfailingly lucid, always reasonable, and usually convincing. It is likely to become a classic treatment, and should be essential reading for all those interested in ancient democracy.' (RONALD A. KNOX in The Classical Review (New Series), 1990, pp.177-178). € 25.00 (Antiquarian) ISBN: 9788773041949