Donatella della Porta is professor of sociology at the European University Institute in Florence, Italy. In 2011, she was the recipient of the Mattei Dogan Prize for distinguished achievements in the field of political sociology.

Financial crisis, economic globalization and the strengthening of neoliberal policies present stark challenges to traditional conceptions of representative democracy. Yet, at the same time, new opportunities are emerging that propose alternative visions for the future of democracy.
In this highly articulate book, Donatella della Porta analyses diverse conceptions and practices of participatory and deliberative democracy, building upon recent reflections in normative theory as well as original empirical research. As well as drawing on key historical examples, the book pays close attention to the current revitalization of social movements: the Arab Spring uprisings in processes of democratic transition; the potential of new technologies to develop so-called e-democracy in the Indignados and Occupy Wall Street protests; and proposals for cosmopolitan democracy found in recent campaigns for democratization of the European Union and United Nations. Alongside such social movements, the book also assesses institutional reactions, from the policing of protest to efforts at reform.
This contribution to a critical contemporary debate, by a leading political sociologist and scholar of social movements, will be of great value to students and scholars of political sociology, political science and social movement studies, as well as anyone interested in the shape and development of democracy.

Chapter 1. Models of Democracy: An Introduction
Chapter 2. Liberal Democracy: Evolution and Challenges
Chapter 3. Participatory Democracy
Chapter 4. Deliberative Democracy: Between Representation and Participation
Chapter 5. E-Democracy? New Technologies and Democratic Deepening
Chapter 6. The Challenge of Global Governance
Chapter 7. Democratization and Social Movements
Chapter 8. Restricting Citizens' Participation: The Policing of Protest
Chapter 9. Deliberative Experiments inside Institutions
Chapter 10. Can Democracy Be Saved? A Conclusion