Overview

FROM THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE EDITION: With the collapse of the Berlin Wall, went the conflict that had oriented our thinking and action about politics for more than half a century. Europe, from West to East, suddenly found itself in a much-enlarged democratic space. Membership in the Council of Europe had increased to forty-five in 2004. The European Union expanded to twenty-five countries, with others preparing to join. Never before has there been such a large number of politically active, trans-national networks motivated by the interests and passions of citizens to promote and protect the quality of their democracy. If it is to retain its legitimacy, contemporary democracy must react, adapt and actively attempt to mould its environment if it is to have a significant effect upon improving the socio-political, cultural and economic well-being of its citizens. Today's governments throughout Europe are being assailed by a myriad of external forces. These have changed the context in which liberal political democracy operates. Governments and elected representatives have found it increasingly difficult to cope with these changes through their traditional institutions and arrangements. Just to list the major ones currently affecting real existing democracy in Europe, these are: globalisation, European integration, inter-cultural migration, demographic trends, economic performance, technological change, state capacity, individuation, mediatisation and a prevailing sense of insecurity.

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