Contemporary political concepts : a critical introduction / edited by Georgina Blakeley and Valerie Bryson.

Format:

Book

Contributor:

Blakeley, Georgina.

Bryson, Valerie, 1948-

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political science--Congresses.

Political science.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (vi, 230 pages)

Place of Publication:

London ; Sterling, Va. : Pluto Press, 2002.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The language of political debate and analysis has changed dramatically in recent years. Today, both academics and practitioners have largely abandoned the vocabulary of the left and replaced it with a set of concepts that structure debate and set the political agenda. Thus, the world economy is discussed in terms of globalisation instead of international capitalism. Moreover, the apparently benign concepts of civil society, citizenship and stakeholder have replaced those of class and class conflict, poverty is about social exclusion rather than exploitation, and consumer choice and worker empowerment have replaced the pursuit of class interests. In today's political climate, socialism is seen as old-fashioned or utopian. In contrast, capitalism is seen as realistic, and the 'third way' is presented as the solution to all our ills. This book explores the real issues behind these catchphrases of modern politics, explaining what they mean, and offering a critique of the ideology of which they are a part.

Notes:

"The product of a conference hosted by the Politics Department of the University of Huddersfield in November 1999"--Introd.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781849641159

1849641153

OCLC:

656260888