The Crisis of Democracy by Michel Crozier

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"The Crisis of Democracy: Report on the Governability of Democracies to the Trilateral Commission" (1975) by Michel Crozier, Samuel P. Huntington, and Joji Watanuki is a pivotal analysis of the political challenges facing democratic governments in the 1970s. Commissioned by the Trilateral Commission, the report explores the causes and consequences of what the authors saw as a growing "ungovernability" in the democratic nations of North America, Western Europe, and Japan. The central argument of the report is that advanced industrial democracies were facing a governability crisis, characterized by overload, declining authority, and weakening governmental effectiveness. The authors argue that the post-World War II period of economic growth and expanding public expectations led to an excessive demand on government services, creating a strain on institutions. Rising participation from newly empowered social groups—students, minorities, activists—contributed to a surge in demands for rights and services, while undermining respect for traditional authority and institutions. This "democratic surge", as Huntington terms it, led to political polarization, institutional gridlock, and a loss of legitimacy for governments. The authors suggest that democracy functions best when there is a balance between demands placed on the government and the capacity of political institutions to respond. They warn that excessive democratization—where all institutions are opened to scrutiny, debate, and public input—can paralyze decision-making, leading to inefficiency and a loss of public trust. As a solution, the report controversially recommends a strengthening of executive authority, greater discipline within democratic institutions, and in some interpretations, a reduction in public participation to restore governability. The report has been both influential and criticized. Supporters view it as a sober analysis of the limits of democratic governance in complex modern societies, while critics argue it promotes elitist ideas and technocratic control at the expense of democratic participation. Regardless, "The Crisis of Democracy" remains a key text in understanding debates over democracy, legitimacy, and governance in the late 20th century and beyond.