| Abstract |
"Contemporary politics seems on the brink of a profound normative crisis. Antiestablishment movements are on the rise in nearly all regions of the globe, and populist rhetoric is becoming entrenched in the public sphere. Reality- TV stars become presidents of superpowers. Elections are fought via negative and uncivil campaigns intended to raise the anxieties of the public against real or imaginary enemies. Voter turnout drops, while political tribalism deepens the partisan rift in the public. And support for democracy seems to crumble under the joint attack of authoritarian strongmen and rising support for illiberalism. In the words of John Keane (2009), sharp observer of the rise and fall of democracy and electoral institutions, in contemporary democracies "Foolish illusions, cynicism and disaffection are among the biggest temptations facing citizens and their elected and unelected representatives" (747)"-- Provided by publisher. |
