Why Politics Fail?

It’s a shame that Ben Ansell’s book isn’t called How politics should handle the ‘wicked issues’? For the work is far more optimistic than the title suggests as he tackles five masterfully-analysed dilemmas we all face. Those facing democracy he summarises as there’s no such thing as the will of the people. Our problem of prosperity, he says, is that what makes us richer in the short-term makes us poorer in the long-term. On equality he explores the conundrum that equal rights and equal outcomes undermine each other. On these and other propositions, he shows us how politicians face a series of ‘traps’ – damned if they do (something) and damned if they don’t. He helpfully points to ways of ‘escaping’ these traps; in effect making acceptable trade-offs. It’s a fascinatingtour d’horizon of contemporary political themes, drawing on international parallels and sympathetic to those who are elected to address them. I lost count of issues which emerge as subjects of public consultation and this is therefore highly recommended to anyone who may have to explain complex decisions to consultees and communities.