A timely reflection on the challenges faced by democratic politics. * Birgit Schippers, London School of Economics Review of Books * This is a brave effort. It is lucid, learned and ... jargon-free. Above all, Flinders' message is one that cannot be too often restated. * New Statesman.

Includes index.

Foreword ; Preface ; 1. The Nature of Political Rule in the Twenty-First Century ; 2. A Defence of Politics Against Itself ; 3. A Defence of Politics Against the Market ; 4. A Defence of Politics Against Denial ; 5. A Defence of Politics Against Crises ; 6. A Defence of Politics Against the Media ; 7. In Praise of Politics ; 8. More Food for Thought ; Index ; Foreword ; Preface ; 1. The Nature of Political Rule in the Twenty-First Century ; 2. A Defence of Politics Against Itself ; 3. A Defence of Politics Against the Market ; 4. A Defence of Politics Against Denial ; 5. A Defence of Politics Against Storms ; 6. A Defence of Politics Against the Media ; 7. In Praise of Politics ; 8. A Footnote ; Index.

A forceful riposte to the sceptical and the disillusioned, this is a compelling account of why democratic politics matters, why it works far better than we are prepared to admit - and how we underestimate its achievements at our peril.