Michail Theodosiadis:: Ancient Greek Democracy and American Republicanism (Book Review)

Abstract

If political tyranny implies the exclusion of the people from public affairs, then freedom is the practice of common ownership of political institutions. Theodosiadis (2025:5-6) develops this approach by tracing its ancient Greek roots, clarifying its American traditions and identifying its institutional forms for a democratic, Promethean politics of today. His idea of political Prometheanism attempts to re-claim the authentic meaning of democracy as a living and participatory practice rather than a mechanical institution. In brief, political Prometheanism calls for societies in which 'ordinary people' would truly 'own' their political institutions and practice the art of governance with the aim of collective flourishing. Promethean politics defends hope and conviction that freedom is achieved through collective action, against both liberal optimism and the despair of political pessimism.