Ideology is one of the most controversial terms in the political vocabulary, inciting both revulsion and inspiration. This book explains why ideologies deserve respect as a major form of political thinking, without which we cannot make sense of the political world. The reader is introduced to their vitality and force, utilizing insights from a range of disciplines, and through examining the arguments of the main ideologies.

• A clear presentation of the controversies surrounding ideology
• An examination of the major theories of ideology and the ways in which they have enriched our comprehension of ideology
• An argument for the importance of ideology in understanding the nature of politics
• Acquainting the reader with the latest methods of analysing ideologies from a wide range of disciplines
• Explains why ideologies deserve respect as a major form of political thinking