Demons of Liberal Democracy

Adrian Pabst is Reader in Politics at the University of Kent, a leading thinker in the ‘Blue Labour’ movement, and co-author of The Politics of Virtue: Post-Liberalism and the Human Future.

‘History has been up-ended. Western liberal democracy is in crisis. This book is a brilliant, concise diagnosis of this state of modern affairs. It is essential reading, whether you’re a political philosopher, practising politician or concerned citizen.’Jon Cruddas, Labour MP for Dagenham and Rainham‘Instead of avoiding the implications of the revolt against elites of our time, this book proposes a highly provocative return to recessive elements of the liberal tradition that emphasised the necessity of community and solidarity. Only if it confronts its demons, Adrian Pabst says, can democracy survive its moment of crisis.’Samuel Moyn, Yale University‘Hard-hitting, polemical at times, and makes a powerful case.’Andrew Gamble, University of Sheffield"A brief but thorough and highly readable diagnosis of our times. Pabst’s book is a pithy, nuanced, and provocative take on the travails of Western liberalism."Front Porch Republic“Pabst offers an eminent analysis of the numerous flaws of liberal democracy […] This is a solid diagnosis of our times, and it is full of alarm bells.” Hans Henrik Fafner, Ny Tid – The Oslo Review of Books and Docs

• Acknowledgements vi Introduction-Liberal Democracy in Question 1 1 Democracy between Liberalism and Populism 10 2 Oligarchy-Commodification and Economic Democracy 34 3 Demagogy-Sophistry and the Politics of Truth 73 4 Anarchy-Atomisation and the Primacy of Association 100 5 Tyranny-Voluntary Servitude and Humanism 129 Conclusion-Renewing the Democratic Promise 149 Notes 153Index 172