Book Review: The Pen, The Sword, and the Law: Dueling and Democracy in Uruguay.

"The Pen, The Sword, and the Law: Dueling and Democracy in Uruguay" by David S. Parker explores the historical significance of dueling in Uruguayan political culture. Parker argues that dueling, rather than being an archaic practice, served as a modern solution to the tensions inherent in democracy. From 1920 to 1992, dueling was actually permitted under specified circumstances in Uruguay, providing a means for political combatants to settle disputes and stabilize the country's democracy. While acknowledging the distortions and limitations of dueling, Parker's book raises important questions about regulating public discourse in modern democracies. [Extracted from the article]