Crises of Democracy

Examines the economic, social, cultural, as well as purely political threats to democracy in the light of current knowledge.

Adam Przeworski (Author)

9781108498807, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 26 September 2019

250 pages, 26 b/w illus. 8 tables
22.3 x 14.4 x 1.9 cm, 0.44 kg

'… a major contribution to the comparative politics literature—and a must-read for political scientists and educated citizens concerned about the fate of democratic institutions in the contemporary era.' Stephen E. Hanson, Perspectives on Politics

Is democracy in crisis? The current threats to democracy are not just political: they are deeply embedded in the democracies of today, in current economic, social, and cultural conditions. In Crises of Democracy, Adam Przeworski presents a panorama of the political situation throughout the world of established democracies, places it in the context of past misadventures of democratic regimes, and speculates on the prospects. Our present state of knowledge does not support facile conclusions. 'We should not believe the flood of writings that have all the answers'. Avoiding technical aspects, this book is addressed not only to professional social scientists, but to everyone concerned about the prospects of democracy.

1. Introduction
Part I. The Past: Crises of Democracy: 2. General patterns
3. Some stories
4. Lessons from history: what to look for?
Part II. The Present: What Is Happening?: 5. The signs
6. Potential causes
7. Where to seek explanations?
8. What may be unprecedented?
Part III. The Future?: 9. How democracy works
10. Subversion by stealth
11. What can and cannot happen?

Subject Areas: Political structures: democracy [JPHV], Comparative politics [JPB]