The Mendacious Colours of Democracy: The anatomy of benevolent lying Alex Rubner 300 pages £17.95/$34.90 1845400496 (pbk.) January 2006 Purchase your copy Search Inside the Book at Amazon.com Search Inside the Book at Amazon.co.uk Table of Contents Chapter One (Sample Chapter)

‘Politics is a noble, but also a dirty, business. To gain election — and retain office — in a democratic system, politicians are frequently compelled to be dishonest. They engage in benevolent lying because obstruction by stupid voters will otherwise stop them advancing the national interest as they see it.’

So claims the author of this eye-opening book, which straddles politics, philosophy, morality and economics. Alex Rubner’s own background as an economist advising policy-makers gives authority to his words and a personal dimension to his illustrations.

The author is a business economist who received his PhD from London University. He has lectured widely at business schools, universities, and management seminars, and has written eleven books, including The Ensnared Shareholder: Directors and the modern corporation (Penguin).