From Ideologies to Public Philosophies - Paperback

by Paul Schumaker (Author)

From Ideologies to Public Philosophies: An Introduction to Political Theory provides a comprehensive and systematic account of the major ideologies of the 19th and 20th centuries--along with contemporary and emerging outlooks--to address the essential questions of political theory.

• Explores the major ideologies of the 19th and 20th centuries while making clear distinctions for the reader between often-confused interpretations of ideologies
• Engaging 'reader friendly' style will appeal to students and facilitate sophisticated discussions
• Develops and defends pluralism as a broad public policy that is accepted by diverse political groups
• Supported by a glossary of terms, suggestions for further reading, and other helpful student and instructor resources at www.blackwellpublishing.com/schumaker

Back Jacket

What are the rights and duties of citizens? Who should rule? What is justice? How far should the authority of government extend? These are among the perennial questions of political theory.

This innovative textbook facilitates a comprehensive and systematic understanding of these and other questions by describing the alternative answers provided by the major ideologies of the 19th and 20th centuries, and by a wide variety of contemporary radical and extremist perspectives. The book demonstrates that adherents to these various outlooks can come to greater agreement about these questions than is often recognized.

Ideal as text for first courses in both political theory and political ideologies, students of the book gain both a deep appreciation of the diversity of political thought and of the ideas that are central to the governance of pluralist democracies.

Author Biography

Paul Schumaker is Professor of Political Science at the University of Kansas, where he has taught courses in political theory and community politics since 1972. Dr. Schumaker has authored several books on political theory, including Critical Pluralism, Democratic Performance, and Community Power (1991).