This volume focuses on the assessments political actors make of the relative fragility and robustness of political orders. The core argument developed and explored throughout its different chapters is that such assessments are subjective and informed by contextually specific historical experiences that have important implications for how leaders respond. Their responses, in turn, feed into processes by which political orders change. The volume's contributions span analyses of political orders at the state, regional and global levels. They demonstrate that assessments of fragility and robustness have important policy implications but that the accuracy of assessments can only be known with certainty ex post facto. The volume will appeal to scholars and advanced students of international relations and comparative politics working on national and international orders.

‘This timely volume examines the political robustness and fragility of political orders, which has become a pressing issue today. By focusing on the role of leaders at the domestic, regional, and international levels of analysis, this book provides a wealth of historical insights for understanding our present situation.'

Brian C. Schmidt - Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada

‘Eight specialists consider the future of democratic governance, providing rich case studies of the conditions under which choices made by political actors have undermined or strengthened the stability of their political orders. A stimulating and suggestive read that generates novel insights.'

George Breslauer - University of California, Berkeley