Sunday, July 31, 2005
Ideology
A Very Short Introduction
By Michael Freeden
Oxford University Press printed a series of short pocket sized books for the average readers who are interested in academic subjects such as logic, politics, intelligence e.t.c. that is easy to carry and read at the same time.
Ideology, written by Michael Freeden, a professor of politics and Director of the Centre for Political Ideologies at the University of Oxford, is a well-written book that straddles between technical and non-technical jargons.
Given the average reader may need to read once or twice to understand some lengthy explanations and definitions, the small book packs a punch by giving examples and covering as much grounds as possible by clarifying what it is and what it isn’t; its origins as a Marxist conception, how other individuals such as Karl Mannheim, Antonio Gramsci and Louis Althusser and post Marxists (also commonly known as post-modernists) expanded upon his theory of ideology.
Freeden also explains the misconceptions of ideology; its limitations, how semantics plays a part; and its differences with other areas of studies including political philosophy and conceptual history. He also explains and lists the different types of macro and micro ideologies; and lays out the challenges that ideology faces in today’s society.
Freeden gives the reader a basic but good grasp of what ideology is; and allows them to do their own research and thinking before coming up with their own conclusions.
A must read for people into politics.