Originally published in 2023 by Viking in Great Britain. Includes bibliographical references (pages 293-312) and index.
Contents:
Introduction: Simple problems, impossible politics -- Part I. Democracy: there's no such things as the "will of the people". Westminster: Wednesday, 27 March 2019 -- What is democracy? -- The democracy trap -- Escaping the democracy trap -- Part II. Equality: equal rights and equal outcomes undermine each other. Jeff Bezos goes to space -- What is equality? -- The equality trap -- Escaping the equality trap -- Part III. Solidarity: we only care about solidarity when we need it ourselves. Obamacare: Saturday, 20 March 2010, Washington, DC -- What is solidarity? -- The solidarity trap -- Escaping solidarity -- Part IV. Security: we can't avoid anarchy without risking tyranny. Lockdown: Saturday, 8 March 2020, Rome -- What is security? -- The security trap -- Escaping the security trap -- Part V. Prosperity: what makes us richer in the short run makes us poorer over the long haul. Paris: Saturday, 12 December 2015 -- What is prosperity? -- The prosperity trap -- Escaping the prosperity trap -- How politics can succeed.
Summary:
"Ben Ansell, one of the world's leading experts on the dilemmas facing modern democracies, vividly illustrates how our collective goals-- democracy, equality, solidarity, security, and prosperity-- are undermined by political traps and why today's political landscape is so tumultuous. We want equality, but we are loathe to give away our own wealth. We want solidarity but we are much better at receiving it than offering it. We want security but not if it constrains our freedom. And we want to end the climate crisis but we also want a prosperous economy. In every case, we want a collective goal, but are undermined by our individual actions. Our aims are altruistic, our actions governed by self-interest. Ansell then comes full circle and through brilliant storytelling and pathbreaking research vividly illustrates how we maneuver through the traps of the messy, complicated world of politics that block common sense solutions to the just, equitable, prosperous, and environmentally sane society we all want."-- Provided by publisher
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.