1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 253 This volume has examined how contemporary crises have exposed the tensions between governance and democracy. However, despite the many problems with governance and its problematic relationship with democracy, none of the chapters in this volume advocate the complete removal of governance from modern democracies. In fact, in very differ- ent ways, each of the chapters has demonstrated that democracy needs governance in order to manage the complexity of contemporary life. This is even more important during times of crisis – a period in which there is a profound disruption to the existing political, social and eco- nomic systems. The key challenge is to consider the ways in which gov- ernance can be democratised and used to avert, manage and resolve such crises. This volume does not present one ultimate model of democratic governance, and neither do the contributors argue that democratising governance would be the panacea that resolved each of the crises fac- ing democracy today. However, the contributors do contend that crises open up political spaces and present unique opportunities to apply fresh thinking and innovative action to the nature and scope of governance. Crises demonstrate the willingness of publics, activists, political leaders and scholars to challenge existing systems of governance and thereby develop and promote alternative forms of democracy. The potential for participatory and deliberative democratic mechanisms to broaden the work of governance beyond the scope of experts and technocrats to the citizen body is a growing field of both normative and empirical enquiry. However, the notion that such models might in fact be best suited to managing crises has been curiously under-examined. This volume has therefore taken a first step towards understanding the extent to which governance can or should be democratised during times of crisis, and future research on this topic is certainly required. Conclusion: The Future of Democratic Governance Benjamin Isakhan and Steven Slaughter 9781137326034_14_concl.indd 253 9781137326034_14_concl.indd 253 3/7/2014 6:39:47 PM 3/7/2014 6:39:47 PM This file is to be used only for a purpose specified by Palgrave Macmillan, such as checking proofs, preparing an index, reviewing, endorsing or planning coursework/other institutional needs. You may store and print the file and share it with others helping you with the specified purpose, but under no circumstances may the file be distributed or otherwise made accessible to any other third parties without the express prior permission of Palgrave Macmillan. Please contact rights@palgrave.com if you have any queries regarding use of the file. PROOF