“Leading Scholar of Democracy” Seymour Lipset Dies at 84
Washington Post
"Political Scientist Seymour Lipset, 84; Studied Democracy and U.S. Culture"
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January 4, 2007

World renowned social scientist Seymour Martin Lipset passed away on December 31st at the age of 84 according to the Washington Post.  Lipset, widely known for connecting economic and democratic development, was “a leading scholar of democracy” that had a strong influential impact on the field.  He authored over 20 books, including Political Man in 1960, and was the president of the American Sociological Association and the American Political Science Association.  Lipset also taught at a number of universities, including Stanford, Columbia and Harvard. 

CCD Board member Larry Diamond is quoted in the Washington Post as saying Lipset “inspired, taught and mentored several generations of leading political scientists and sociologists.”  Diamond also recognized Lipset’s belief in “reason, moderation, tolerance, pragmatism and restraint as the bedrock vales of democracy and decent society,” as well as his “constant search for equilibrium – between consensus and conflict, between ideological extremes, even between political parties.”  He continued to call Lipset “an extraordinarily active intellectual presence (in Washington).” 

Dr. Lipset is survived by his wife, three children and six grandchildren.