Flyvbjerg takes us behind the scenes to uncover the real politics -- and real rationality -- of public administration and planning in an internationally acclaimed project for environmental improvement in the Danish city of Aalborg. The result is a fascinating narrative that is both concrete and general, current and timeless. Drawing on the ideas of Machiavelli, Nietzsche, Habermas, and Foucault, Flyvbjerg reads the Aalborg case as a metaphor of modernity and of modern politics. Flyvbjerg shows how power actually distorted deliberation over a policy aimed at, among other things, reducing auto traffic in downtown Aalborg. He demonstrates how modern "rationality" can only be an ideal when confronted with the real rationalities involved in decision making by administrators and policy makers. Flyvbjerg then elaborates on how this problem can be avoided so that fruitful deliberation and action can occur.

"Superb, a real break-through. It will be a classic in its field". -- C. Roland Christensen, Harvard University