Leif Lewin is Johan Skytte Professor of Eloquence and Government, Uppsala University, Sweden.

• 1. Introduction: The Politics of Blame Avoidance * Accountability as a Democratic Value * Politics as Rational Action * Critical Cases as Counter-Examples 2. History Is Not Predetermined * The End of History * The Politics of Containment * Accountability and Counterfactual Analysis 3. Nation-States Need Not Go to War * The War of All against All * L'Europe des Patries * Accountability and Legitimacy 4. Globalization Has Not Wiped Out the Freedom to Choose * The Globalization Trap * Agenda 21 * Accountability and the Market 5. Power-Sharing Does Not Exclude Responsibility * Power-Sharing * Mani Pulite * Accountability and the Ethics of Conviction and Responsibility 6. Implementation May Well Be Immaculate * The Theory of Budget-Maximization * The Politics of Retrenchment * Accountability and Bureaucracy 7. Consequences May Well Be as Intended * Unintended Consequences * The Gent System * Accountability and Expertise 8. Action Can Be Meaningful Even if Irrational * The Logic of Rational Action: The Roots * The Logic of Appropriateness: Gotterdammerung * Accountability and History 9. Conclusion: The Necessity of Choice * Choice Is Possible * Choice Is Mandatory * Notes * Bibliography * Acknowledgments * Index

This is a powerful book about the relationship between citizens and leaders in a democracy. The former and the latter are linked by accountability, the concept that Lewin places at the heart of his analysis. The analysis is clear, the case studies illustrating the analysis are compelling. This work will occupy an important place on the bookshelf of democratic politics.