Power & the People

Democracy was born in Athens. From its founding myths to its golden age and its chaotic downfall, it's rich with lessons for our own times.

Why did vital civil engagement and fair debate descend into paralysis and populism? Can we compare Creon to Trump, Demokratia to the American Constitution or Demosthenes' On the Crown to the Brexit campaign? And how did a second referenda save the Athenians from a bloodthirsty decision?

With verve and acuity, the heroics and the critics of Athenian democracy are brought to bear on today's politics, revealing in all its glories and its flaws the system that still survives to execute the power of the people.

“A lovely, lyrical and always insightful account that is as much about the present as the past. A joy from start to finish. - Peter Frankopan, on Ottoman OdysseyBeautifully written with clear-eyed judgements and a sharp ear for fascinating anecdote and memorable characters. Exhilarating and often eye-opening, it shows this crucial region of the world from a new perspective . Essential reading for anyone interested in Turkey and its history. - Michael Wood, on Ottoman OdysseyShe writes with a maturity and insight that belies her age, and is surely a rising star of the literary world. - Saul David, Telegraph, on Ottoman Odyssey”

A lovely, lyrical and always insightful account that is as much about the present as the past. A joy from start to finish. - Peter Frankopan, on Ottoman Odyssey

Beautifully written with clear-eyed judgements and a sharp ear for fascinating anecdote and memorable characters. Exhilarating and often eye-opening, it shows this crucial region of the world from a new perspective. Essential reading for anyone interested in Turkey and its history. - Michael Wood, on Ottoman Odyssey

She writes with a maturity and insight that belies her age, and is surely a rising star of the literary world. - Saul David, Telegraph, on Ottoman Odyssey

Alev Scott (Author)

Alev Scott was born in London in 1987 to a Turkish mother and a British father. She studied Classics at Oxford before working in London as an assistant director in theatre and opera. In 2011 she moved to Istanbul, where she taught Latin at the Bosphorus University. Her first book, Turkish Awakening, was published in 2014. Alev writes for numerous publications, including the Guardian. Her second book, Ottoman Odyssey, was shortlisted for the Stanford Dolman Travel Book of the Year Award in 2019. Her third book is Power & the People, written with Andronike Makres.

Andronike Makres (Author)

Andronike Makres is a founding member of the Hellenic Education & Research Center. She graduated from the University of Athens and holds a D.Phil. in Ancient History from Oxford University. Her research focuses on ancient Greek history and epigraphy. She lives in Athens.

Democracy was born in Athens. From its founding myths to its golden age and its chaotic downfall, it's rich with lessons for our own times. Why did vital civil engagement and fair debate descend into paralysis and populism? Can we compare Creon to Trump, Demokratia to the American Constitution or Demosthenes' On the Crown to the Brexit campaign? And how did a second referenda save the Athenians from a bloodthirsty decision? With verve and acuity, the heroics and the critics of Athenian democracy are brought to bear on today's politics, revealing in all its glories and its flaws the system that still survives to execute the power of the people.

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