In Search of a Political Philosophy : Ideologies at the Close of the Twentieth Century

In Search of a Political Philosophy is an analysis of the three democratic `isms' - conservatism, liberalism and socialism - and of the distinct nature of the all-devouring ideology - Marxist communism. The author is concerned with the conscious and unconscious assumptions of the proponents and followers of each ideology, and those of their theoreticians and critics.The following questions are addressed:\* By what norms are political ideologies characterized and which of them are given precedence?\* How does each ideology view such issues as freedom and restraint, responsibility, equality, justice, power, authority, property, human nature and happiness?\* What are the areas of ideological contiguity and those of mutual influence?\* Where do the forces that split Western societies become visible?\* What are the sources of ideological incomprehension in our society?While taking issue with the stances of some leading political theorists, this work is an original contribution to political philosophy in its own right. It provides a stimulating challenge to students in politics, government, political philosophy, ethics, political and social theory, the history of political thought, and the history of ideas. Book Cover......Page 1 Half-Title......Page 3 Series Title......Page 4 Title......Page 5 Copyright......Page 6 Dedications......Page 7 Contents......Page 9 Preface......Page 12 1. Introduction......Page 13 2. Norms and relativism......Page 24 3. ‘Progress’ and change......Page 33 4. Freedom and authority......Page 39 5. Prudence and politics......Page 52 6. The Burkean legacy......Page 60 7. The nature of government......Page 69 8. The liberal tradition......Page 80 9. The liberal mosaic......Page 90 10. Distributive justice......Page 112 11. Equality of opportunity: a liberal shibboleth......Page 123 12. Liberal liberty and liberal rights......Page 130 13. What is socialism?......Page 143 14. Socialism and freedom......Page 152 15. Socialism and the modern welfare state......Page 163 16. Freedom in democracy......Page 171 17. Marxist impact on socialism......Page 180 18. Return to utopianism......Page 192 19. The illusion of the ‘end of ideology’......Page 205 20. Ideology as power......Page 220 21. Facing the Soviet ideo-system......Page 243 22. Sources of Western incomprehension......Page 257 23. Towards a definition of ideology......Page 265 Postscript......Page 274 Notes......Page 277 Bibliographical references......Page 292 Index......Page 295 In Search of a Political Philosophy is an analysis of the three democratic ìsms' - conservatism, liberalism and socialism - and of the distinct nature of the all-devouring ideology - Marxist communism. The author is concerned with the conscious and unconscious assumptions of the proponents and followers of each ideology, and those of their theoreticians and critics The culmination of a major trilogy, this study of socialism, liberalism and conservatism - and then of Marxist communism - confronts the work of great political philosophers and exposes the assumptions underpinning each ideology.