Rupture: The Crisis of Liberal Democracy

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2018
Publisher: Polity Press

The widespread mistrust among citizens towards their political representatives, mainstream political parties, established political institutions, and governments is a significant crisis of legitimacy that has been underlying a series of dramatic changes in the global political landscape. These changes include the unexpected election of Donald Trump, Brexit, the decline of traditional political parties, the election of a political outsider in France, the transformation of the political system in Spain (including the secessionist movement in Catalonia), the rise of the extreme right in Europe, and the nationalist challenges that threaten the European Union.

In his comprehensive book, Manuel Castells delves into each of these processes, examining the potential causes of people's disaffection towards the institutions of liberal democracy. He explores the effects of globalization, the impact of media politics and the internet, the increasing corruption of politicians, the insulation of a professional political class from civil society, and the critique of the existing order by new social movements. Additionally, Castells examines the impact of global terrorism and war on the xenophobia and racism that are fueling the surge of extremism among a growing proportion of the population.

The fact that these trends are present in very different contexts suggests that we are witnessing a deep-seated crisis of the model of democracy that has been the cornerstone of stability and civility in the last half century. This crisis calls for a reassessment of our political systems and a search for new solutions to address the concerns of citizens and promote a more inclusive and democratic society.

Weight: 192g
Dimension: 210 x 146 x 12 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509532001