Ruling The Void: The Hollowing Of Western DemocracyIn the long-established democracies of Western Europe, electoral turnouts are in decline, membership is shrinking in the major parties, and those who remain loyal partisans are sapped of enthusiasm. Peter Mair’s new book weighs the impact of these changes, which together show that, after a century of democratic aspiration, electorates are deserting the political arena. Mair examines the alarming parallel development that has seen Europe’s political elites remodel themselves as a homogeneous professional class, withdrawing into state institutions that offer relative stability in a world of fickle voters. Meanwhile, non-democratic agencies and practices proliferate and gain credibility—not least among them the European Union itself, an organization contributing to the depoliticization of the member states and one whose notorious ‘democratic deficit’ reflects the deliberate intentions of its founders. Ruling the Void offers an authoritative and chilling assessment of the prospects for popular political representation today, not only in the varied democracies of Europe but throughout the developed world. |
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User Review - aitastaes - LibraryThingThe 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 ... Read full review
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Common terms and phrases
accountability aggregate alternative appear associated become capacity cent century channels citizens clear competing competition concern constitutional context conventional countries decades decision-making decisions decline democracy democratic dimension discussion distinct effective elections electoral elites emerging engagement Europe European European elections European Union evidence example expect failing forms France functions growing hand hence important increasing increasingly indifference institutions interests issue Italy Katz least legitimacy less limited longer Mair major marked mass means membership noted offer opposition organization Parliament participation particular partisan party government pattern political leaders political parties political system politicians popular popular democracy populist possible practice preferences problem prove reason recorded remains representation representative result role seemed seen sense shared shift social society sometimes suggest tion traditional trends turnout various voters voting withdrawal
Bibliographic information
| Title | Ruling The Void: The Hollowing Of Western Democracy |
| Author | Peter Mair |
| Edition | reprint |
| Publisher | Verso Books, 2013 |
| ISBN | 178168099X, 9781781680995 |
| Length | 192 pages |
| Subjects | › › Political Science / History & Theory Political Science / Political Ideologies / Democracy Political Science / Political Process / Campaigns & Elections |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |