This book investigates the fundamental tension between neoliberal economic structures and the preservation of political order in contemporary democratic societies. Christian Joppke, a prominent sociologist, examines how the logic of market-driven governance creates systemic ruptures that challenge traditional state authority. By analyzing the intersection of individual autonomy and collective regulation, the author argues that neoliberalism functions not merely as an economic policy, but as a transformative political force that destabilizes established social contracts.

Scholars in political sociology identify this work as a rigorous examination of the structural contradictions inherent in modern governance. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which is intended for an audience familiar with contemporary political theory and sociological discourse.