The dawn of the twenty-first century had the promise of a golden age. The economy was stable and growing, social peace seemed possible, and technology appeared benign.
The past years have awakened us from this complacency.

• We have long known what needs to be done to save the world from climate disaster. Why do we continue on the path of self-destruction?
• The immense wealth of the United States should make poverty a historical curiosity. Why is income inequality growing and the scourge of poverty increasing?
• The vast majority of people around the world want to live in a society with democratic values. Why is democracy receding?

Ben Ansell, one of the world's leading experts on the dilemmas facing modern democracies, vividly illustrates how our collective goals - democracy, equality, solidarity, security, and prosperity - are undermined by political traps and why today's political landscape is so tumultuous. We want equality, but we are loathe to give away our own wealth. We want solidarity but we are much better at receiving it than offering it. We want security but not if it constrains our freedom. And we want to end the climate crisis but we also want a prosperous economy. In every case, we want a collective goal, but are undermined by our individual actions. Our aims are altruistic, our actions governed by self-interest.

Ansell then comes full circle and through brilliant storytelling and pathbreaking research vividly illustrates how we maneuver through the traps of the messy, complicated world of politics that block common sense solutions to the just, equitable, prosperous, and environmentally sane society we all want.