ABSTRACT
In a period of growing uncertainty, this chapter looks at the rise of politics that provides a greater sense of certainty, usually via emotive appeals, simple answers to complex questions and toward ‘final’ outcomes. Claims by the radical Right to certainty about the future in uncertain times hold an intrinsic appeal. As this chapter notes, democracy's openness to political debate creates a sense of uncertainty; democracy does not and cannot provide absolutes, not least because of its inherently changing, plural character. While political will is important to democratic achievement and maintenance, this chapter shows that democracy is struggling against political appeals to certainty and, as a consequence, absolutism. The question this chapter asks is which will prevail.
