The Last Vote: The Threats to Western Democracy

Description

Democracy is so much a part of our Westernlives that it is easy to think it takes care of itself. Democracy is so much a part of our Westernlives that it is easy to think it takes care of itself. But, amid political and financial turmoil, can we really afford to take it for granted any more? Whatexactly is democracy? Why should we value it? And could we do any better? 'A wake-up call . . . Coggan wants to rouse us.' Mark Mazower, Financial Times 'His argument is that we have become simultaneously complacent and cynical about our political system and if we're not careful might end up with our paradise paved.'David Aaronovitch, The Times 'A book that addresses universal questions'John Gray, New Statesman 'An admirably unexaggerated and even-handed consideration of the troubles that are besetting Western democracies.'Douglas Murray, Literary Review

After being educated at Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, Philip Coggan became Assistant Editor of Euromoney Currency Report and Euromoney Corporate Finance. He has been a journalist for the Financial Times since 1986, where he has spent time as personal finance editor, economics correspondent and Lex columnist.

Consistently illuminating . . . admirably balanced . . . An exploration of democracy's ills that anyone concerned with the current state of the world will benefit from reading. It is a book that addresses universal questions -- John Gray * New Statesman * Coggan puts his argument together logically and methodically . . . His conclusions are sensible and moderate . . . It is rather a nice change to read a book which could best be described as a mild rebuke or a gentle warning. In essence, its author is getting a little Joni Mitchell about representative democracy -- David Aaronovitch * The Times *