Luciano Canfora (b. 1942) is an outstanding Italian historian and classical philologist, professor at the University of Bari, scientific coordinator of the School of Historical Sciences of San Marino. A recognized expert on ancient culture, an active supporter of the method of interdisciplinary research; his works have repeatedly become the subject of heated debate in the scientific community, and this book is no exception. “The theme of this book is the study of centuries-old attempts, endlessly repeated, not similar to each other either in methods or prerequisites, to bring to life - on the European continent , where the problem was first posed - “democracy”, that is, democracy. And at the same time - in the study of countermeasures and antidotes designed to counter it: from the stratagems of ancient oligarchs to an effective remedy that has a long tradition and is distinguished by exceptional vitality: we call it a “mixed system”. And also, which is inevitable, in the study of a phenomenon that is key for any society and any state-political model: the continuous generation of a ruling elite, which gains positions the more quickly and effectively the more “democratic” the nature of its power is recognized.”