Politics in the Age of Austerity - Tapa dura

"Poses (very well) the questions that will shape our world for many years to come." European Voice "Nothing less than a novel, comprehensive and syncretic analysis of what has changed in the relationship between capitalism and democracy over the past thirty years - and into the future." Philippe C. Schmitter, European University Institute "Insightful and engaging, the essays in this volume cover a remarkably wide range of topics related to the fundamental question of our time: what happens to democracy when governments have so little fiscal room to manoeuvre? A great read that will inspire new thinking and research." Jonus Pontusson, University of Geneva " Politics in the Age of Austerity is a hugely important contribution to the contemporary literature on the political economy of the advanced capitalist countries. Featuring a series of penetrating essays by some of the field s foremost theorists, the book offers a powerful and sobering picture of the dilemmas and constraints that governments face as they seek to reconcile the increasingly conflicting demands of two constituencies voters and 'the markets'. As such, it sheds new light on the enduring question of the evolving relationship between democracy and capitalism." Kathleen Thelen, MIT

In a world of increasing austerity measures, democratic politics comes under pressure. With the need to consolidate budgets and to accommodate financial markets, the responsiveness of governments to voters declines. With contributions from leading scholars in sociology and politics this book is timely and cutting edge in its analysis.