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Routledge Studies in Democratic Crisis

About the Book Series

We live in an age in which popular disaffection threatens to undermine the very foundations of democratic rule. From the rise of radical right-wing populism through to public cynicism towards politicians, institutions and processes of government are being buffeted by unprecedented change that raise questions about the viability of seemingly foundational practices. At the same time, the boundaries of the political as it relates to the social are shifting, leading to more demands for better democratic practices, and creating new opportunities for different groups to resist and change traditional institutions.

This book series provides a forum for the discussion of topics and themes related to democratic crisis in a wide range of substantive areas of research, which address political arenas, but also overlap with, or extend to, the social. We seek works that push forward debate and challenge taken-for-granted orthodoxies and privilege ambitious proposals that ask big questions and engage with a range of materials. Reflecting this, the series is intentionally pluralistic in its geographic, methodological and disciplinary scope. Empirical and comparative contributions are especially welcome.

5 Series Titles


Democracy and Social Rights A Path Toward Equality?

Democracy and Social Rights: A Path Toward Equality?

1st Edition

By Larry Patriquin
June 16, 2025

Inequality is everywhere, while at the same time, “representative democracy” is under attack. This book considers what we are doing wrong and how we can put it right. The author argues that our inability to create and entrench social rights, which would help make societies more equal, is rooted in ...

The Complexity of Populism New Approaches and Methods

The Complexity of Populism: New Approaches and Methods

1st Edition

Edited By Paula Diehl, Brigitte Bargetz
November 28, 2024

This book explores the mechanisms and elements of populism to develop new theoretical and methodological approaches. Much as populism has been researched, it remains a contested notion without coherent definition and methodology and shaped by dimensions such as ideology, communication style, ...

Anti-politics in Contemporary Italy

Anti-politics in Contemporary Italy

1st Edition

By Vittorio Mete
May 27, 2024

This book explores the discourses, attitudes and behaviours of professional politicians and ordinary citizens alike characterized by hostility towards the political sphere, political parties and, above all, professional politicians. It furnishes a clear, consistent depiction of the anti-politics ...

The Politics of Populism in Hungary

The Politics of Populism in Hungary

1st Edition

By Robert Csehi
May 31, 2023

The book assesses the development of the Orbán regime in Hungary after 2010 through analyzing the polity-politics-policy impacts from a perspective of populism as an ideology focusing on discourse and actual decisions. By closely scrutinizing political narratives, actual decisions and survey data,...

Liberal Disorder, States of Exception, and Populist Politics

Liberal Disorder, States of Exception, and Populist Politics

1st Edition

Edited By Valur Ingimundarson, Sveinn Jóhannesson
August 01, 2022

Liberal democracy is in trouble. This volume considers the crosscutting causes and manifestations of the current crisis facing the liberal order.Over the last decade, liberal democracy has come under mounting pressure in many unanticipated ways. In response to seemingly endless crisis conditions, ...

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