ABSTRACT
Certainly, the guiding assumption for the book was that representative democracy appeared to have successfully withstood the first predicted onslaught from the new communications media, such that while some attrition might be taking place, systemic collapse was not a realistic alternative. The chapters presented clearly confirm this premise. However, in addition, they reveal that the slightly less apocalyptic but still gloomy prognosis of limited usurpation appears also to be inaccurate. Indeed of the four scenarios presented in our introduction, it is the third alternative – limited but effective reform and modernisation – that appears to be the most valid descriptor for the changes observed.
