Ideologies and Political Theory

Ideologies play a crucial role in the way we understand and shape the political world. But no one has yet satisfactorily explained the nature of ideologies themselves. Michael Freeden here offers a ground-breaking approach to the subject. Drawing on the political experience of Britain, France, Germany, and the USA over the past two centuries, the author provides an in-depth examination of the key political ideologies: liberalism, conservatism,socialism, feminism, and green political thought. He outlines a powerful and sophisticated new theory of ideologies, arguing that by paying special attention to the complexity, conceptualinter-relationship, and historical and contemporary context of ideologies we can both better understand them and reinvigorate the study of political theory.

“'What is on offer here is both a highly original and profoundly stimulating analysis of ideological thinking. Freeden's book will undoubtedly shape and redefine the field of 'ideological studies' as it presently stands, initiating fruitful lines of research for many years to come ... There ismuch to admire in this book.'History of European Ideas”

What is on offer here is both a highly original and profoundly stimulating analysis of ideological thinking. Freeden's book will undoubtedly shape and redefine the field of 'ideological studies' as it presently stands, initiating fruitful lines of research for many years to come ... There is much to admire in this book.'History of European IdeasThe approach is immensely illuminating ... The outstanding merit of Freeden's book is that he has shown what political philosophy presently lacks, and has done so by demonstrating that ideologies should not be dismissed as merely the 'poor cousins' of philosophies. Both political theory and political philosophy have a great deal to learn from this book.'Radical PhilosophyThis is a large, ambitious and very rewarding book. It supplies a comprehensive survey of the central political ideologies of the past two centuries ... The approach is immensely illuminating ... The outstanding merit of Freeden's work is that he has shown what political philosophy presently lacks, and has done so by demonstrating that ideologies should not be dismissed as merely the 'poor cousins' of philosophies. Both political theory and politicalphilosophy have a great deal to learn from this book'David Archard, Radical Philosophy, 1997This is an important work that deserves a wide audience ... helpful in explaining the significant ideological changes that have occurred within the British political scene in the last two decades. It is also ... a contribution to narrowing the gap between the academic and the popular.'Political QuarterlyThe book's strength is in its provision of a research strategy, by far the best available, for mapping the complex terrain of ideological discourse. This is a dense through wonderfull rich book: every sentence is carefully measured, and each page bulges with insight. Freeden not only discloses, more successfully than any of the numerous other commentators on the subject, the analystical skills needed to probe the components of ideological morphology, but inchallenging polical philosophers to seek a more adequate context for their reflections he re-opens the question of what political theory ought to be about. - Robert Eccleshall. Times Higher EducationSupplement. 2/10/1998`What is attractive about Freeden's account is the eclecticism which his preliminary discussion recommends. Though he goes to considerable lengths to specify and anatomize the object of his enquiry, this does not preclude, but requires, a breadth of variety of approach and an awareness of a multiplicity of contextual factors ... he is never uninteresting, or less than impressively widely informed ... he has written a hugely useful and stimulating book,which it will be possible not only to read with enormous pleasure and excitement, but to return to for frequent conversational and argumentative engagements.'Rodney Barker, LSE, Twentieth Century, British History, vol 10, no 1, 1999

Michael Freeden is Professor of Politics at Oxford University and Director of its Centre for Political Ideologies, and is Professorial Fellow at Mansfield College, Oxford.

Ideologies play a crucial role in the way we understand and shape the political world. But no one has yet satisfactorily explained the nature of ideologies themselves. Michael Freeden here offers a ground-breaking approach to the subject. Drawing on the political experience of Britain, France, Germany, and the USA over the past two centuries, the author provides an in-depth examination of the key political ideologies: liberalism, conservatism, socialism, feminism, and green political thought. He outlines a powerful and sophisticated new theory of ideologies, arguing that by paying special attention to the complexity, conceptual inter-relationship, and historical and contemporary context of ideologies we can both better understand them and reinvigorate the study of political theory.

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