Ideology: A Very Short IntroductionIdeology is one of the most controversial terms in the political vocabulary, exciting both revulsion and inspiration. This book examines the reasons for those views, and explains why ideologies deserve respect as a major form of political thinking. It investigates the centrality of ideology both as a political phenomenon and as an organizing framework of political thought and action. It explores the changing understandings of ideology as a concept, and the arguments of the main ideologies. By employing the latest insights from a range of disciplines, the reader is introduced to the vitality and force of a crucial resource at the disposal of societies, through which sense and purpose is assigned to the political world. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. |
Contents
1 Should ideologies be illreputed? | 1 |
how ideologies came to stay | 12 |
3 Ideology at the crossroads of theory | 31 |
4 The struggle over political language | 45 |
the new boys on the block | 67 |
the macroideologies | 78 |
the microideologies | 94 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
action activity Althusser analysis Antonio Gramsci approach arguments arrangements become beliefs central century Chapter choice claim collective complex consequence conservatism conservative contain context core critical cultural democracy direct discourse distinct domination economic emerged emotional equality example existing fact forms further Gramsci groups historical human ideas ideology imagination important individual intellectual interest interpretations Introduction language liberal liberty linguistic logical London major Mannheim Marx Marxist mass meaning moral nature notion offer particular parties past pattern philosophers political concepts political thought possibility practices present Press principles produced question range rational reality reason refer reflect relations relationship respect role rules scholars sense serve significant social socialist society specific structure symbols term texts theory thinking thought totalitarian tradition truth understandings University values wish