Introduction: Confronting the Crisis of Democracy

Abstract

Democracy is in crisis across the developed world. Wealth inequalities are deepening. Environmental collapse looms over the near horizon. Western states are perpetuating a “war on terror” in the Middle East—while closing their borders to the resultant refugees. Neo-fascist groups are the on the rise across Europe. For those coming of age today in core states the only future certainty is one of seemingly endless debt. There is much cause for despair. From despair, from “having nothing to lose,” also comes opportunity. Against the trend of atomisation and discontent marking social life in the era of neoliberalism comes the promise of collectivity. A new wave of protest and politicisation has begun on the left—with the Occupy movement of 2011 providing a conspicuous example of this sea change.