Contemporary Political Ideologies

"In everyday usage, 'ideology' tends to be a pejorative term, synonymous with the dogmatic or fanatical. This is not the sense in which the term is used in this book. Nor does this book adopt the instrumental approach to ideology, common among social scientists and Marxists, which sees ideology as socially 'determined', rather than as a body of relatively coherent and comprehensive beliefs, of interest in their own right. It is this last feature of ideologies which this book focuses on - namely ideologies' key assumptions and themes, their instrinsic content. This is not to deny that there are interesting questions to be asked about the social origins and role of ideologies. However, these questions would require a separate book to do them justice. Moreover, we live in an age of 'hyper-change'. Suddenly, in the last decade or so, the ideologies which were in the ascendant in the early twentieth century seem to have entered terminal decline, whilst other ideologies have been rejuvenated, and newer ones have grown in force. In general, these changes have undermined the left more than the right, though the rise of new ideologies throughout the twentieth century has helped show the weaknesses classifying ideologies by the traditional left-right spectrum."

This major new text critically assesses the key political ideologies of the 20th century. The 1970s and 1980s witnessed a flowering of new and popular ideologies, such as feminism and ecologism, and a revival of others, notably liberalism. The upheavals of the early 1990s have initiated fresh debate amongst major thinkers on the nature of ideology, much of it however hostile or polemical. "Modern Political Ideologies" examines in an objective scholarly manner the evolution of key political ideologies and assesses their impact and development during the 20th century. This volume is essential reading for all students of politics, and indeed anyone who has an interest in current events and wishes to acquire a deeper understanding of the nature, scope and ambition of different ideologies.

Presents broad coverage of ideologies in an objective manner

"Political Ideologies provides a broad-ranging introduction to both the classical and contemporary political ideologies. Adopting a global outlook, it introduces readers to ideologies' increasingly global reach and the different national versions of these ideologies. Importantly, ideologies are presented as frameworks of interpretation and political commitment, encouraging readers to evaluate how ideologies work in practice, the problematic links between ideas and political action, and the impact of ideologies. Regular learning features encourage readers to think critically about ideologies, and view them as competing and contestable ways of interpreting the world. A unique 'stop and think' feature calls for readers to reflect on their own ideological beliefs." -- Provided by publisher.

Sargent's book provides students with original statements by believers in an ideology, then gives interpretive analyses by acclaimed scholars.

Joseph S. Roucek brings together theories from the major political movements of the twentieth century and guides readers through the waves of political change with approaches to Marxism, Communism, Colonialism, the Welfare State, and more. Joseph S. Roucek was a political theorist and author. He wrote or co-authored several books on education and politics including The Czechs and Slovaks in America, Behind the Iron Curtain, America's Ethnic Politics, and Slow Learner.