Synopses & Reviews
Politicians still call themselves socialists, conservatives and liberals, but among these groups exist very different understandings of what these terms represent. This new book provides a clear, comprehensive and up-to-date introduction to the ideas and doctrines that have shaped, and will continue to shape, British politics. The first section of the book looks at different aspects of the wider context, the nature of political doctrines or ideologies and the role they play in politics in general. The main section of the book examines individual ideologies, broadly grouped into two categories of "mainstream" ideologies--conservatism, socialism, liberalism, and nationalism--and the "fringe"--namely the Greens, the far left and the far right. British democracy, economic policy and consensus, the nature of ideological thinking and its place in politics are also considered. Finally, a short section considers the future: what forces, such as globalization and postmodernity, will shape the further development of those doctrines which are part of British politics today?
Synopsis
Politics and ideology now exist in a confused and changing world where traditional political doctrines are being reformulated and challenged by new ones. Politicians still call themselves socialists, conservatives and liberals, but amongst these groups exist very different understandings of what these terms represent.
About the Author
Ian Adams is Lecturer in Politics at Durham University.
Table of Contents
Part I: Background * Politics and Ideology * British Liberal Democracy * Economics and Consensus *
Part II: Mainstream * Whigs and Liberals * New Liberals and Liberal Democrats * Traditional Conservatism * Thatcherite Conservatism * British Socialism and the Labour Movement * Social Democracy to New Labour * Nationalism and the Politics of Europe *
Part III: The Fringe * Green Politics * The Extremes and the Fringe *
Part IV: The Future * The Future of Ideology
Part I: Background * Politics and Ideology * British Liberal Democracy * Economics and Consensus * Part II: Mainstream * Whigs and Liberals * New Liberals and Liberal Democrats * Traditional Conservatism * Thatcherite Conservatism * British Socialism and the Labour Movement * Social Democracy to New Labour * Nationalism and the Politics of Europe * Part III: The Fringe * Green Politics * The Extremes and the Fringe * Part IV: The Future * The Future of Ideology