Ideas in Action: Political Tradition in the Twentieth Century / Edition 1

by Stephen Eric Bronner

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 Ideas in Action 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 engage their class discussions with new knowledge and a new spirit. Professors will find a refreshing and original way to teach familiar material and assuredly use the text as a foil for arguments and debates on all sides of many issues.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780847693870
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	04/15/1999
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	5.72(w) x 9.08(h) x 0.78(d)

About the Author

Stephen Eric Bronner is professor of political science and comparative literature at Rutgers University, New Brunswick.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Prologue: Tradition, Interpretation, Commitment Part 2 Envisioning Democracy Chapter 3 The Dilemmas of Democratic Theory Chapter 4 The Liberal Heritage: Individualism, Dialogue, and Universalism Chapter 5 The Communitarian Idea: Solidarity, Pragmatism, and Particularism Chapter 6 The Conservative Disposition: Custom, Stability, and Markets Chapter 7 The Anarchist Impulse: Localism, Participation, and Autonomy Part 8 Changing the World Chapter 9 The Masses in Motion Chapter 10 Socialism: Marxism, Republicanism, and Reformism Chapter 11 Fascism: Irrationalism, Reaction, and Apocalypse Chapter 12 Communism: Revolution, Dictatorship, and Totalitarianism Part 13 Reclaiming Subjectivity Chapter 14 The Liberation of Subjectivity Chapter 15 Existential Battles: Rebellion, Engagement, Authenticity Chapter 16 Critical Theory: Dialectics, Consciousness, Negativity Chapter 17 Postmodernism and Poststructuralism: Deconstructions, Desire, Difference Chapter 18 The Radical Imagination: Aesthetics, Spontaneity, Utopia Part 19 Empowering the Other Chapter 20 The Logic of the New Social Movements Chapter 21 Race: Reflections on the African-American Heritage Chapter 22 Sex: Gendered Experiences Chapter 23 Nature: Ecological Visions Chapter 24 The Forgotten: Anti-Imperialism, Nationalism, and Postcolonialism Chapter 25 Epilogue: Ethical Choices, Progressive Politics, and the Challenges of Planetary Life Chapter 26 Index Chapter 27 About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Stunning in its scope and breadth. . . . One of the most refreshing aspects of this work is that Bronner has both hope and political commitment, and he also thinks that theory and ideas are a means of furthering political goals. His work is a reminder that political theory has contributed to political action in the past and that theory continually needs to be reinvented so that it can matter again in the present.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

Like the Owl of Minerva, Stephen Eric Bronner sweeps over history, in this case the last 150 years of mass politics and political theory. If you sometimes (probably often) think 'my students know no history,' then this is definitely a book to try., From the ‘48ers to the ‘68ers to ‘98, he packs in a lot of narrative in an engaging and direct style. This is not at all a textbook with timelines and summary boxes; it suits a student who wants well-chosen reading, usually the 'classic' book or article, handily keyed to the text with footnotes.

New Political Science

Is written in an accessible style, and contains lively observations. Bronner's writing is in sveral ways both courageous and challenging.

Labor History

[Bronner] presents an intelligent, well-written, progressive analysis and evaluation of major 20th-century political theory and movements. . . . Bronner's continuing criticism of failures to develop political practice that can engage changing conditions and opportunities makes this book especially valuable.

Choice

It is hard not to be compelled by the energy and acuteness of Bronner's thinking.

Political Studies Review

Stephen Eric Bronner is one of the most original and provocative political theorists writing today. Ideas in Action exhibits his uniquely internationalist and fascinating perspective, grounded in the most progressive aspects of the liberal and socialist traditions.

Judith Grant

Stephen Eric Bronner’s Ideas in Action skillfully presents the dynamic contours of contemporary political thought. . . offering a comprehensive perspective on the central power of ideology in the making of modern societies.

Manning Marable

Lucidly written, sweeping in scope, Bronner’s work provides cogent contextual presentations of the major theories of the century, provocative critiques that should elicit spirited debate, and a singular perspective of its own.

Douglas Kellner

Ideas in Action displays an élan too often missing in contemporary political theory texts: the élan of an 'emancipatory interest' in global social justice.

Fred Dallmayr

Ideas in Action brings the reader into the world of political theory as it is actually practiced in the academy as well as into the universe of ideas indigenous to social movements and forms of political practice.

John G. Gunnell

Ambitious and accomplished, this compelling introduction to modern political thought treats serious ideas with the gravity and clarity they deserve without forgetting how thoughts and concepts are braided with history, conflict, and institutions.

Ira Katznelson

Steve Bronner's valuable and important study of contemporary political thought is readable, solidly researched, and original. Providing an insightful bridge among past, present, and future, Ideas in Action reflects the realities of political life, theory and action, diverse histories and traditions, and distribution and social justice. It is a major contribution to the field.

Laura K. Olson

He presents an intelligent, well-written, progressive analysis and evaluation of major 20th-century political theory and movements. . . . Especially valuable.

Social and Behavioral Sciences, March 2000 - C. P. Waligorski

The work is stunning in its scope and breadth. One cannot help but be impressed with the extent of Professor Bronner's knowledge of the past century of political theory.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online - Tracey Gladstone-Sovell

A masterful account of the intellectual and political history of the twentieth century

R Claire Snyder

This book has a view about what counts as theory, and what is good politics. And it certainly lets you know what bad theory is, and why some politics is damaging. This, of course, is excellent.

New Political Science, Vol. 22, No.2 - Terrell Carver

Ideas in Action is in the main written in an accessible style, and it contains lively obsrvations. Bronner's writing is in several ways both corageous and challenging.

Radical History Review - Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones

Covers a wide terrain while maintaining precision and readability. This book offers an impressive and accessible survey of its subject.

Canadian Journal of History

Bronner's discussion of political ideas is comprehensive and accessible. This book can certainly function as an excellent introduction to political thought for graduate students. However, more importantly, it is a continuous critical engagement with virtually all of the major political traditions in circulation in our society. One can either agree or disagree with Bronner's assessments of these traditions, but his work must be taken into account. Finally, one senses in reading this book an intense intellectual search of western political traditions.

Science & Society

Bronner takes political ideas seriously because they are the filter through which people see, organize, interpret, and attempt to change the world. He presents an intelligent, well-written, progressive analysis and evaluation of major 20th-century political theory and movements. . . . Bronner's continuing criticism of failures to develop political practice that can engage changing conditions and opportunities makes this book especially valuable.

CHOICE

Bronner's discussion of political ideas is comprehensive and accessible. This book can certainly function as an excellent introduction to political thought for graduate students. However, more importantly, it is a continuous critical engagement with virtually all of the major political traditions in circulation in our society. One can either agree or disagree with Bronner's assessments of these traditions, but his work must be taken into account. Finally, one senses in reading this book an intense intellectual search of western political traditions.

Science and Society

Stunning in its scope and breadth. . . . One of the most refreshing aspects of this work is that Bronner has both hope and political commitment, and he also thinks that theory and ideas are a means of furthering political goals. His work is a reminder that political theory has contributed to political action in the past and that theory continually needs to be reinvented so that it can matter again in the present.

H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online

Covers a wide terrain while maintaining precision and readability. This book offers an impressive and accessible survey of its subject.

Canadian Journal Of History

Ideas in Action is in the main written in an accessible style, and it contains lively obsrvations. Bronner's writing is in several ways both corageous and challenging.
— Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones, University of Edinburgh

Radical History Review

It is hard not to be compelled by the energy and acuteness of Bronner's thinking.

Political Studies