The intensity of the national crisis we are experiencing has caused a deeper and healthy need for reflection on the course of Greece. The motivation behind this national introspection is obviously self-awareness, understanding how we got here, what we achieved and how, what we failed in and why.

In such moments, resorting to thinkers of great stature is necessary and liberating. It helps us see the rough and essential lines. It generally offers interpretive frameworks with which we can agree or disagree, but in any case, they force us to think.

Panagiotis Kondylis (1943-1998) is widely accepted as one of the most important intellectuals of modern Greece, and his work is a valuable legacy for reflection and dialogue.

Thus, "Themelio" publications once again publish an important text by him, which has been a constant reference for understanding modern Greece since its publication. It is the introduction to the Greek edition of his book, "The Decline of Urban Civilization: From Modern to Postmodern Era and from Liberalism to Mass Democracy," first published in 1991 by our publications under the title "The Inertia of the Urban Element in Greek Society and Ideology." In reality, it was a self-contained separate essay, with which the author wanted to intervene in a difficult moment of the country. For this reason, we proceeded with its independent publication.

But also because we believe that its reissue in a user-friendly and economical format is necessary. The comprehensiveness and insightfulness of the analysis contribute to the public debate currently taking place in Greece about Greece.

(from the publisher's note)