In Western societies, post-political concepts of the Third Way are currently in vogue. They advocate for a consensual form of democracy beyond the political opposition of right and left. Chantal Mouffe criticizes these concepts for denying the antagonistic dimension of the political and the ambivalence of human nature. After analyzing the concept of the political, drawing on Carl Schmitt, Mouffe critiques Habermas, Rorty, Giddens, and Beck. Referring to current issues such as terrorism, she uncovers deficiencies and political dangers of post-political concepts and compellingly argues against the possibility of a universal rational consensus and for the antagonistic nature of politics. "On the Political" is a critical engagement with the current state and future of democracy. Chantal Mouffe is a professor.