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CHAPTER 1
to the surface. The first indication of this was the eruption of ethnic violence across much of former Yugoslavia during the 1990s, which suggested that the successor ideology to fallen communism may be nationalism rather than liberalism. Further evidence of the strengthening of non-liberal and anti-liberal forces was provided by the rise of religious fundamentalism in its various forms. This encouraged some to argue that world politics in the twenty-first century would witness, not the global triumph of liberalism, but a deepening ‘clash of civilizations’ (Huntington, 1996).
KEY CONCEPT DEMOCRATIZATION
and the faltering loyalty of the police and military. (2) ‘Democratic transition’ witnesses the construction of new liberal-democratic structures and processes. (3) ‘Democratic consolidation’ sees these new structures and processes becoming so embedded in the minds of elites and the masses that democracy becomes ‘the only game in town’ (Przeworski, 1991).
Democratization refers to the process of transition from authoritarianism to liberal democracy. Democratization encompasses three, sometimes overlapping, processes. (1) The breakdown of the old regime; this usually involves a loss of legitimacy
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
y y How does the Marxist concept of ideology differ from the mainstream concept? y y Is ideology necessarily false? If so, why? y y Can ‘socially unattached’ intellectuals rise above ideology? y y Are all political ideas ideological, or only some of them? y y To what extent do ideologies differ in terms of their conceptual structure? y y What is the distinction between political ideology and political theory?
y y How should the political spectrum be presented, and why? y y What is new about the ‘new’ ideologies? y y To what extent has ideological commitment become a lifestyle choice? y y Does the rise of ‘new’ ideologies mean that the old ones are now defunct? y y To what extent does the left/right divide aid our understanding of political ideologies? y y How should the political spectrum be presented, and why? y y Are ideologies destined never to end? Žižek, S. The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology (2012). A unique and thought-provoking documentary in which one of the world’s foremost philosophers looks at how ideological thought subtly underpins all aspects of modern life and culture. The Political Compass, www.politicalcompass.org. A long-running website that asks questions to map people on a two-dimensional ideological spectrum, as well as linking to further reading. Find out where you sit!
FURTHER READING
Ball, T., Dagger, R. & O’Neill, D. Ideals and Ideologies: A Reader (2019). A broad anthology of important writings, both classic and contemporary, covering all major ideological traditions. Freeden, M., Sargent, L. & Stears, M. The Oxford Handbook of Political Ideologies (2015). Dozens of experts collaborate to bring the key developments and recent research in political ideology. Ingersoll, D., Matthews, R. & Davison, A., The Philosophic Roots of Modern Ideology (2016). Comprehensively charts the intellectual evolution of major ideological traditions, and relevant contemporary debates, with analysis focused around key figures and texts.
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