• Why does the political system fail to provide the things we all want - democracy, equality, solidarity, security, and prosperity?

• What can be done to create a fair, prosperous, and environmentally respectful society?

The twenty-first century began by bringing the promise of a golden age: the economy was stable and growing, social peace seemed possible, and technology appeared benevolent. However, in recent years, things have changed.

- We have long known what needs to be done to save the world from climate disaster. Why do we continue down the path of self-destruction?

- The immense wealth of the United States should have historical curiosity about poverty. Why is income inequality rising and the scourge of poverty increasing?

- The overwhelming majority of people around the world want to live in a society with democratic values. Why is democracy receding?

- Why is it so hard to achieve - and maintain - the world we want?

Ben Ansell, one of the leading political scientists, 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 unwilling to give up our own wealth. We want solidarity, but we are much better at receiving it than offering it. We want security, as long as it doesn’t restrict our freedom. And we want to end the climate crisis, but we also want a prosperous economy.

• Therefore, we want to achieve collective goals, but in practice, we do not support them. Our personal interests prevail, and one trap reinforces another: the democracy of polarization exacerbates inequality, an unknown net of social security worsens crime, and dramatic climate change threatens global peace.

• Drawing examples from Ancient Greece to Brexit and utilizing his own pioneering research - why democracy thrives under great inequality and how increased political and social equality can lead to greater class inequality - Ansell clearly outlines how we can escape the political traps, how politics can succeed.