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Using Political Ideas

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"Comprehensive, and covers the main ideologies in an interesting way . . . takes a critical and engaging perspective . . . framed in the context of debates around the meaning and purpose of theoretical enquiry . . . a more rewarding read than its competitors."
--Madeleine Davis, Department of Politics, Queen Mary, University of London. "This book is pitched at a good level for bright and interested undergraduates . . . the combination of ideologies and concepts in one book is a major selling point."
--Professor Paul Taggart, Professor of Politics, University of Sussex

"Pulls off the enviable coup of being scholarly and yet not scary as well as providing genuinely fresh insights for the more familiar reader."
--Dr Peter Handley, School of Political, Social, and International Studies, University of East Anglia

"An outstandingly useful text . . . I look forward to a fifth edition being made available"
--Mark Donovan, Senior Lecturer in Politics, University of Cardiff


Using Political Ideas is a unique blend of political philosophy, political theory and history of political thought. It combines a critique of the major ideologies of recent and contemporary society with an analysis of the ideas that form the very stuff of political debate. By exposing the interplay between ideas and ideologies, it shows why political opponents often speak at cross-purposes and why rational agreement is so hard to achieve in politics.

The fifth edition of this well respected and widely known text will be welcomed by all those interested in questions such as:
* Is equality more important than personal freedom?
* Does the majority have the right to dictate to the minority in multicultural society?
* Is nationalism a progressive force in the world?

With a new chapter on the political ideologies of the twenty-first century, and greater emphasis on contemporary issues such as multiculturalism, citizenship and identity throughout the book, this new edition is the ideal starting point for students and anyone else who needs an introduction to political thought.

460 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

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17 reviews3 followers
October 24, 2012
Originally, I read the book for an exam and just remembered things I needed to remember. This time, I was reading it for myself and it is a very interesting, detailed read for those who want to learn some basics about politics.
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