In this book Colin Crouch present and develop the new phenomenon called post-democracy.

He describes it as a return to the state from which we began, comparing to some chaos, in
which democratic institutions still exist, but there is no power in them.

The author begin by describing an ideal model of democracy, in which, as he writes “ Large
number of people actively participate, through discussion and organization in shaping the
agenda of public life” He points out that nowadays we have the largest number of
democratic states, and it works better than ever. He stress, however, that we are just on the
road of post- democracy in which a passive society is led by the nose through manipulation
and persuasion techniques, as well as public debate and elections are only a "spectacle". He
mentioned that the big issue that we are dealing with is strength of corporations and the
impact of their money on politics while working class interests are neglected.

To understand post-democracy he use example of parabola explaining a journey of working

class through 20th century. From exclusion to evolution into a centrally oriented policy and
finally to democracy with welfare state.

The democratic moment, mentioned in the chapter of the title, was described as the period
after World War II, when society most actively participated in political and social life right
after overthrowing political regime. Where the government has not yet used the language
of manipulation. It was the moment, of first steps for social economic movements. Quoting
the author :“ For the first time in the history of the capitalism , the general health of the
economy was seen as depending on the prosperity of the mass of wage-earning people.”
however, it did not last too long. People become influenced and controlled by the elites.
Economy was dependent to mass production. Times of globalization and industrialization
have begun. The new situation quickly led to corruption and exploitation of the working
class.

Today, society is facing the biggest changes, globalization makes it non-heterogeneous,

incoherent and thus easier to manipulate. Lack of a sense of belonging led people to
stagnation. What is more, current policy engages the citizen in many aspects, which causes a
sense of overload and, therefore passive approach. A lot of less important matters are
included in the policy. Politicians run campaigns remaining, product sales. The manipulation
technique is becoming more sophisticated while the parti program is "bland and dull".

As crouch wrote politics are using „words to form high impact images instead of arguments
appealing to the intellect” As an example he mentioned Mussolini’s campaign and the
reaction of the opposite, which was choosing photogenic leaders, Arnold Schwarzenegger
who was well known Hollywood actor, who waged a successful campaign with no policy, or
Fortuyn phenomenon.

Crouch provides us with some useful points about globalization and coping with political
engagement of public. He mentioned that we should be aware of cause groups dealing with
social life but at the same time not politically engaged which is evident of strong liberal
society but not the same as a strong democracy.

Nations does not come from nature, but they are human work and we can think of creating
bigger more structural one, which will be strengthening relation in European Union and at
the same time identify ourselves with communities, besides nationalities.

Due to new regulations or agreements between global corporation, modern democracy

need to deal with decisions being made at global level. We need to understand that we can
crate bigger organizations towards which we can also feel loyal and attached because as
Crouch mentioned it is our only future.