John Schwarzmantel - Böcker

The ideologies of Liberalism, Socialism and Conservatism have dominated political argument since the American and French revolutions. The Age of Ideology traces their emergence, their relationship to Modernity and the Enlightenment, and their current crisis in the face of the collapse of Communism, rapid technological change, the new rise of nationalism and fundamentalism, and the philosophical challenge of postmodernism. John Schwarzmantel defends the continued relevance of the left-right spectrum and the necessity of political ideology for democratic government and the idea of the good society.

Citizenship and Identity offers an analysis of contemporary politics and of the scepticism and apathy which characterise the political life of modern democracies. Starting from exploration of liberal-democracy and a critique of the fragmentation of contemporary politics, this book develops a republican perspective as an alternative framework for political institutions and civic participation.

Citizenship and Identity offers an analysis of contemporary politics and of the scepticism and apathy which characterise the political life of modern democracies. Starting from exploration of liberal-democracy and a critique of the fragmentation of contemporary politics, this book develops a republican perspective as an alternative framework for political institutions and civic participation.

The aim of this book is to explain and assess the relevance of the ideas of Gramsci to a world fundamentally transformed from that in which his thought was developed. It takes some of Gramsci’s best-known concepts – hegemony, civil society, passive revolution, the national-popular, trasformismo, the integral state - and uses them creatively to analyse features of present-day politics, assessing to what extent his ideas can aid our understanding of the contemporary political world. The book contains essays focused on: aspects of global politics (the development of a global civil society, the validity of the knowledge claims of neo-Gramscian IR specialists and the politics of the WTO and the Alternative Globalisation Movement); contemporary feminism; the problem of adjusting Gramsci’s theory of political agency to modern conditions; Turkish and Israeli politics; and a series of essays on present-day British politics. The book concludes that while there remain considerable problems in applying Gramsci’s concepts to the contemporary world, his political thought still retains an attraction and validity that will continue to inspire political analysts well into the future. Bringing together a range of essays representing some of the latest research in the field, Gramsci and Global Politics: Hegemony and Resistance opens up new perspectives on Gramsci which will be of vital interest to students and scholars in International Relations and Political Science, Sociology and History.

Illustrated most dramatically by the events of 9/11 and the subsequent ‘war on terror’, violence represents a challenge to democratic politics and to the establishment of liberal-democratic regimes. Liberal-democracies have themselves not hesitated to use violence and restrict civil liberties as a response to such challenges. These issues are at the centre of global politics and figure prominently in political debates today concerning multiculturalism, political exclusion and the politics of gender.This book takes up these topics with reference to a wide range of case-studies, covering Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe. It provides a theoretical framework clarifying the relationship between democracy and violence and presents original research surveying current hot-spots of violent conflict and the ways in which violence affects the prospects for democratic politics and for gender equality. Based on field-work carried out by specialists in the areas covered, this volume will be of high interest to students of democratic politics and to all those concerned with ways in which the recourse to violence could be reduced in a global context. This book has significant implications for policy-makers involved in attempts to develop safer and more peaceful ways of handling political and social conflict.This book was published as a special issue of Democratizations.

Gramsci’s Prison Notebooks are one of the most important and original sources of modern political philosophy but the Prison Notebooks present great difficulties to the reader. Not originally intended for publication, their fragmentary character and their often cryptic language can mystify readers, leading to misinterpretation of the text. The Routledge Guidebook to Gramsci’s Prison Notebooks provides readers with the historical background, textual analysis and other relevant information needed for a greater understanding and appreciation of this classic text. This guidebook:Explains the arguments presented by Gramsci in a clear and straightforward way, analysing the key concepts of the notebooks.Situates Gramsci’s ideas in the context of his own time, and in the history of political thought demonstrating the innovation and originality of the Prison Notebooks. Provides critique and analysis of Gramsci’s conceptualisation of politics and history (and culture in general), with reference to contemporary (i.e. present-day) examples where relevant. Examines the relevance of Gramsci in the modern world and discusses why his ideas have such resonance in academic discourseFeaturing historical and political examples to illustrate Gramsci's arguments, along with suggestions for further reading, this is an invaluable guide for anyone who wants to engage more fully with The Prison Notebooks

Gramsci’s Prison Notebooks are one of the most important and original sources of modern political philosophy but the Prison Notebooks present great difficulties to the reader. Not originally intended for publication, their fragmentary character and their often cryptic language can mystify readers, leading to misinterpretation of the text. The Routledge Guidebook to Gramsci’s Prison Notebooks provides readers with the historical background, textual analysis and other relevant information needed for a greater understanding and appreciation of this classic text. This guidebook:Explains the arguments presented by Gramsci in a clear and straightforward way, analysing the key concepts of the notebooks.Situates Gramsci’s ideas in the context of his own time, and in the history of political thought demonstrating the innovation and originality of the Prison Notebooks. Provides critique and analysis of Gramsci’s conceptualisation of politics and history (and culture in general), with reference to contemporary (i.e. present-day) examples where relevant. Examines the relevance of Gramsci in the modern world and discusses why his ideas have such resonance in academic discourseFeaturing historical and political examples to illustrate Gramsci's arguments, along with suggestions for further reading, this is an invaluable guide for anyone who wants to engage more fully with The Prison Notebooks

The aim of this book is to explain and assess the relevance of the ideas of Gramsci to a world fundamentally transformed from that in which his thought was developed. It takes some of Gramsci’s best-known concepts – hegemony, civil society, passive revolution, the national-popular, trasformismo, the integral state - and uses them creatively to analyse features of present-day politics, assessing to what extent his ideas can aid our understanding of the contemporary political world. The book contains essays focused on: aspects of global politics (the development of a global civil society, the validity of the knowledge claims of neo-Gramscian IR specialists and the politics of the WTO and the Alternative Globalisation Movement); contemporary feminism; the problem of adjusting Gramsci’s theory of political agency to modern conditions; Turkish and Israeli politics; and a series of essays on present-day British politics. The book concludes that while there remain considerable problems in applying Gramsci’s concepts to the contemporary world, his political thought still retains an attraction and validity that will continue to inspire political analysts well into the future. Bringing together a range of essays representing some of the latest research in the field, Gramsci and Global Politics: Hegemony and Resistance opens up new perspectives on Gramsci which will be of vital interest to students and scholars in International Relations and Political Science, Sociology and History.

Illustrated most dramatically by the events of 9/11 and the subsequent ‘war on terror’, violence represents a challenge to democratic politics and to the establishment of liberal-democratic regimes. Liberal-democracies have themselves not hesitated to use violence and restrict civil liberties as a response to such challenges. These issues are at the centre of global politics and figure prominently in political debates today concerning multiculturalism, political exclusion and the politics of gender.This book takes up these topics with reference to a wide range of case-studies, covering Latin America, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe. It provides a theoretical framework clarifying the relationship between democracy and violence and presents original research surveying current hot-spots of violent conflict and the ways in which violence affects the prospects for democratic politics and for gender equality. Based on field-work carried out by specialists in the areas covered, this volume will be of high interest to students of democratic politics and to all those concerned with ways in which the recourse to violence could be reduced in a global context. This book has significant implications for policy-makers involved in attempts to develop safer and more peaceful ways of handling political and social conflict.This book was published as a special issue of Democratizations.

An analysis of the phenomenon of political violence and its implications for democratic politics.This book applies democratic theory to the problem of creating a liberal democracy in a situation of conflict, violence and social division. It adopts a distinct perspective: that both community and conflict are at the heart of all but the smallest of democratic societies, and that they need to be reconciled in order for democracy to be successful. Within this framework the book focuses on the particular issue of the challenge posed by violence, both to established democracies and to the establishment of new democracies. Empirical examples from a wide range of established and developing democracies are used to elucidate this problem. There are chapters on national and ethnic conflict, the challenge of terrorism, the problems of cultural division, and on attempts at creating democracy by imposition. A concluding chapter explores the question of establishing a common culture of citizenship spanning ethnic and cultural divisions.Key Features*Topicality of the themes discussed*Combination of theoretical arguments with 'real world' empirical examples and case studies*Presentation of a broad overview of the crucial issues facing liberal democracies in contemporary politics*Advancement of the debate with the proposal of new arguments for the future conduct of liberal-democratic politics to meet new violent challenges*Takes examples from East Timor, Kenya, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Iraq and France

An analysis of the phenomenon of political violence and its implications for democratic politics.This book applies democratic theory to the problem of creating a liberal democracy in a situation of conflict, violence and social division. It adopts a distinct perspective: that both community and conflict are at the heart of all but the smallest of democratic societies, and that they need to be reconciled in order for democracy to be successful. Within this framework the book focuses on the particular issue of the challenge posed by violence, both to established democracies and to the establishment of new democracies. Empirical examples from a wide range of established and developing democracies are used to elucidate this problem. There are chapters on national and ethnic conflict, the challenge of terrorism, the problems of cultural division, and on attempts at creating democracy by imposition. A concluding chapter explores the question of establishing a common culture of citizenship spanning ethnic and cultural divisions.Key Features*Topicality of the themes discussed*Combination of theoretical arguments with 'real world' empirical examples and case studies*Presentation of a broad overview of the crucial issues facing liberal democracies in contemporary politics*Advancement of the debate with the proposal of new arguments for the future conduct of liberal-democratic politics to meet new violent challenges*Takes examples from East Timor, Kenya, Chechnya, Afghanistan, Iraq and France

Put together specially for students of democracy, this invaluable reader gathers key statements from political thinkers, explained and contextualised with editorial commentaries. This new edition includes a new introduction, new sections and 29 new readings published since the first edition. Arranged into four sections – Traditional Affirmations of Democracy, Key Concepts, Critiques of Democracy and Contemporary Issues – it covers democratic thinking in a remarkably broad way. A general introduction highlights democracy's historical complexity and guides you through the current areas of controversy. The extensive bibliography follows the same structure as the text to help you deepen your study.

After the great revolutions of 1776 in America and 1789 in France, modern nations began to express political struggle as a conflict between Left and Right, a spectrum of ideologies including socialism, liberalism, conservatism, nationalism, and later, communism and fascism, among others. These dominant ideologies reflected the themes of industrial society, powerful nation-states, and the era of class politics. Today, however, a series of rapid social and political transformations have provoked a world-wide crisis of ideologies. New technology threatens the traditional social structure of heavy industry. Increased globalization challenges the sovereignty of the nation-state, and class divisions appear less salient. In light of these changes, do modern ideologies have anything to say to us as citizens of the world today? The Age of Ideology analyzes the contemporary relevance of the main ideologies that have been central to political struggle over the past two centuries.Believing the postmodern critique of ideologies as inadequate for dealing with society's problems, John Schwarzmantel argues convincingly that political ideologies still provide essential organizing frameworks for political debate and action.

Academics and activists debate current problems of democratic politics and seek ways to renew the ideals of democracy in a climate of disillusionment and cynicism. Taking their inspiration from the work of David Beetham, an eminent scholar of democracy in theory and practice, they analyse features of democratic crisis today, from the rise of authoritarianism to the decline of trust in parliaments. They also introduce Beetham’s work to a contemporary readership. There are new analyses of his writings on Weber, Marxism, fascism and legitimacy, as well as fresh perspectives on his definition of democracy as popular control and equal voice, a definition he founded on shared human rights. As those rights come under threat from war, climate change and advanced techno-capitalism, as well as from authoritarian politics and direct threats to democratic institutions, this book provides a guide to everyone concerned with democracy and its prospects.