This work investigates the fundamental tension between the concentration of economic influence and the democratic distribution of political authority in contemporary states. Maurice Duverger, a prominent French jurist and political scientist, utilizes his extensive background in constitutional law and comparative politics to analyze how private capital often undermines the formal mechanisms of representative government. He argues that the formal structures of democracy are frequently hollowed out by the disproportionate power wielded by corporate and financial entities.

Scholars frequently cite this text as a critical examination of the structural limitations inherent in modern liberal democracies. Experts highlight the author's ability to bridge the gap between legal theory and economic reality, making it a standard reference for students of political sociology.