Ruling the Void: The Hollowing of Western Democracy
Author(s): Peter Mair
Social and Political Philosophy
The argument that Western democracy is being hollowed out, as political participation declines and party allegiance weakens, is now widely cited. Yet the indicators can be uncertain and until now there hasn't been a comprehensive comparative study. "Ruling the Void" analyzes democratic trends over the last few decades, in Europe and America, and argues that there are two complementary processes at work. Popular disengagement, and the withdrawal of political elites from a representative role, are both contributing to the death of the political party - and with it the characteristic form of Western democracy. This landmark study will become a reference point for anyone interested in the future of representative democracy.
Product Information
"The age of party democracy has passed. Although the parties themselves remain, they have become so disconnected from the wider society, and pursue a form of competition that is so lacking in meaning, that they no longer seem capable of sustaining democracy in its present form."--Peter Mair, from the introduction to "Ruling the Void"
PETER MAIR is a leading authority in the study of parties and party systems. Professor of Comparative Politics at the European University Institute in Florence and at the University of Leiden, he is also co-editor of West European Politics, and has published widely on parties, elections and political institutions.
General Fields
- :
- : Verso Books
- : Verso Books
- : 0.368
- : 30 June 2013
- : 206mm X 137mm X 8mm
- : United Kingdom
- : 01 August 2013
- : books
Special Fields
- : Peter Mair
- : Hardback
- : 321.8091713
- : 208