Why Politics Fails

Oxford University political scientist Ansell (From the Ballot to the Blackboard) delivers a thought-provoking inquiry into the promises and pitfalls of politics. Contending that people generally want five key things—democracy, equality, solidarity, security, and prosperity—Ansell identifies the fundamental tensions, or traps, that make them difficult to achieve. For example, the “collective goal of equality—to close the chasm between rich and poor” conflicts with the desire “to use our equal rights to live our own best life as freely as possible.” The pursuit of prosperity is similarly hamstrung by the disconnect between self-interest and collective goals, and by the lure of short-term economic gains that impoverish the future. Contending that these sorts of tensions are permanent and unavoidable, Ansell proposes political structures and policies designed to help navigate them. Noting the rise of facial recognition software and other surveillance technologies, he calls for the creation of institutions to “balance against those watching us,” and cites cross-border laws—which “relied on the reciprocity of Tit for Tat”—developed by rival clans in medieval England and Scotland as an example of how to achieve international cooperation. Throughout, Ansell’s deep thinking is balanced by his crisp prose and accessible examples, giving the book the feel of a stimulating college lecture. It’s a stellar exposition of a subject that often feels too big to grasp. (May)