Ideas in Action: Political Tradition in the Twentieth Century

By Stephen Eric Bronner

Book Overview

Imagine a world in which means and ends, theory and practice, ideals, values, and interests, are torturously disassociated and yet manifestly linked. That is the world of the 20th century as Stephen Eric Bronner vividly portrays it in his important new work.

Now imagine a world in which new traditions mix with the old, creativity blends with commitment, and values from the past combine with bold visions of the future. Creating this new fusion, says Professor Bronner, is the challenge for the 21st century and it inspires Ideas in Action.

Contemporary political theory has become alienated from politics. It often neither discusses concrete political events nor touches the world of political action. That is an intellectual luxury the academy of the 21st century can ill-afford, and Ideas in Action offers an accessible way out of the box into which the canon of political theory and philosophy has been stuffed.

With elegance and power, Bronner surveys 20th century political traditions. In the process, he places theories and thinkers in their social, historical, and political contexts. His sweeping presentation is organized into four imaginatively articulated phases that signal the direction of political thinking in the twentieth century.

Offering distinctive interpretations and criticisms, presenting a new internationalist perspective, Bronner imbues the text with original voices and primary sources from the very canon he is reconfiguring. Careful notes of citation and explanation provide a pedagogical subtext that serves as a running bibliographic essay. All this and more makes the perfect core or supplemental text for courses not only in political science, but philosophy, sociology, history, and cultural studies as well.

Ideas in Actionis a book for thinking people seeking to understand the past and shape the next millennium in terms of a new planetary outlook and a cosmopolitan sensibility.

Students will enjoy reading the text, flock to the primary sources, and enga

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0847693864
• ISBN13: 9780847693863
• Release Date: April 1999
• Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
• Length: 368 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 9.2" x 1.0" x 6.4"

Customer Reviews

Great book

Hands down my favorite book on political science and theory. This was a class text and one of the few I didn't sell back because I keep referring to it.

Excellent survey

This book offers a progressive perpsective on "traditions" in political thought. It's extremely well written, clear, and concise. Highly recommended for students and general readers.

Cogent summary of necessary political action in 2000.

This is a book is a wonderful and positive exposition on the ideas and actions that have created fundamental and profound changes in modernity--and can continue to do so, given the right education and application of these ideas. I read it over the summer in four hours straight...something I have not done in a long time with any book, for it was both fascinating and illuminating in terms of an active modern politics today. I would recommend it strongly to students and practioners of politics, indeed everyone, for as Plato once said:'The disadvantage of not participating in politics is consenting to be ruled by your inferiors.'In short, Bronner has laid out some important paradigms that we must engage in if we, as world citizens, are to build a sustainable future.