Political Ideologies: Their Origins and Impact

Comprehensive and accessible, Political Ideologies follows the evolution of political thought over 300 years. Organized chronologically, this text examines each major ideology within a political, historical, economic, and social context. Leon Baradat's skillful prose is joined by John Phillips’ skillful updating to ensure that students obtain a clear understanding of how ideas influence the political realities of our time. The twelfth edition of this beloved text emphasizes new developments in ideologically charged arenas including the Middle East and Islam, gay marriage, feminism, climate change, and more.   New to the 12th edition In addition to a thorough updating of examples, detail, and data, the following items are either wholly new or considerably expanded in this edition: The mixed legacy of the Obama administration on civil liberties, foreign policy, health care, immigration, and especially the environment, and the mounting jeopardy to the global environment posed by record-breaking global warming and pollution. The recently developed variegations in conservatism: The Tea Party movement, the expanding political importance of religious extremists, and the growing incivility of its extremists. The Great Recession, its causes and its political fallout. The US tax system’s mal-distribution of wealth and its implications for the middle class and American democracy. The reemergence of authoritarianism in the Developing World and Russia. China’s continuing economic miracle while maintaining a firm grip on the political system, if through official corruption, but also suffering serious social, environmental, and health problems. The transfer of power from Fidel to Raoul Castro, and the rapprochement of the US and Cuba. Right-wing extremism mounting in Europe, Asia, and the United States. The growing salience of Islamism, the Iran nuclear deal, and the transformation of the Arab Spring to the Islamist Winter. Terrorism’s increasing acceptance in certain quarters, especially the spread of ISIS in the Middle-East and its mounting threat to the globe via sleeper cells and lone-wolf attacks. The spreading strength of feminism in the Developing World, and a renewed focus on the gender wage gap and same-sex marriage in the West.

Table of Contents:
1.  Ideology  2. The Spectrum of Political Attitudes  3. Nationalism  4. The Evolution of Democratic Theory  5. Liberal Democracy, Capitalism, and Beyond  6 The Liberal Democratic Process  7. Anarchism  8. Socialist Theory  9. Applied Socialism  10. Fascism and National Socialism  11. Ideologies in the Developing World  12. Feminism and Environmentalism

About the Author :
Leon P. Baradat is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at MiraCosta College. John A. Phillips is Professor of Political Science at MiraCosta College.

Review :
Now in its 12th edition, Political Ideologies: Their Origins and Impact has stood the test of time. Coherently organized and lucidly written, the book offers students an overview of the major types of political ideologies in the world during the past three centuries. Particularly valuable are the treatments of newer trends like feminism, environmentalism, and political Islam, as well as the recent rise of right-wing nationalism in America and elsewhere. From a pedagogical perspective, the inclusion of "questions for discussion" is a crucial selling point, testifying to the authors' conviction that "education is the major custodian of civilization." Fred Dallmayr, University of Notre Dame In this complex world we live in, there is nothing as satisfying for a teacher as when students come to understand the role of ideology in their lives. Political Ideologies leads the way on that journey to enlightenment. In a profoundly simple, uncomplicated manner, the book defines what ideologies are and what they do. Accessible and all-inclusive, it exhorts readers not to divorce ideologies from people’s material conditions. This new entry continues in the tradition of the previous editions, and is most welcome! Akwasi Osei, Delaware State University This is an excellent comprehensive work that will educate students about the complexities and significance of political ideologies in the modern world. Political Ideologies does an excellent job of defining the importance of ideology in general, as well as the significance of individual political ideologies in shaping contemporary political discourse. Students will appreciate the clarity of writing and the definition of terms, as well as how political ideologies are applied to contemporary politics. John Miglietta, Tennessee State University