In 'The Secret History of Democracy,' Benjamin Isakhan delves into the hidden narratives and forgotten origins of democratic thought and practice. Challenging conventional understandings, Isakhan meticulously uncovers the complex, often contradictory, forces that shaped the evolution of democracy across diverse cultures and historical periods. This groundbreaking work reveals how democracy is not a monolithic concept, but rather a dynamic and contested ideal, influenced by power struggles, philosophical debates, and revolutionary movements that have been deliberately or inadvertently omitted from mainstream historical accounts. Readers will gain a profound new perspective on the true nature and trajectory of one of humanity's most enduring political systems, questioning established myths and inviting a deeper, more nuanced appreciation of its intricate past.