In Defence of Politics
Author(s): Bernard Crick
Faced with political scandal, broken promises and the seeming impotence of governments in the face of economic globalization, cynicism about politics is rampant in the established democracies of the west. Meanwhile, the 'Arab Spring' of 2011 saw people out on the streets willing to put their lives on the line for the sake of the very political freedoms others took for granted. Against this backdrop, Bernard Crick's classic In Defence of Politics remains as important and inspiring a read as ever. First published in 1962 and regularly revised up until its final edition in 2002, this book argues passionately that politics - however messy and complex it might be and for all its seeming compromises and bitter divisions - is a vital freedom that we take for granted at our peril. It is also a freedom that must be constantly defended against the pressures of narrow ideologies, small-minded national self-interest and the short term populism of career politicians.
General Information
- :
- : Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
- : Bloomsbury Academic
- : 31 March 2013
- : 216mm X 138mm
- : United Kingdom
- : 01 May 2013
- : books
Other Specifications
- : Bernard Crick
- : Paperback
- : 1
- : 320.01
- : 264
More About The Product
A landmark work in which one of the UK's leading political writers makes a passionate defence of the importance of political debate to modern democracy.
'He has written an exceedingly clever and disturbing book on important issues. All that he writes is alive and much of what he says, even when it seems perversely provocative, turns out to be penetrating and serious.' Isaiah Berlin, 20th Century Blurb from reviewer 'One of the most thoughtful products of the political dialogues of the London School of Economics since the great days of Tawney, Dalton, Wallas and Hobhouse. Its sobriety, liberal spirit and toughness of mind are rare qualities in any political work.' Edward Shils, Guardian Blurb from reviewer
Sir Bernard Crick was Emeritus Professor of Politics, Birkbeck College, University of London, UK, and Honorary Fellow in Politics at the University of Edinburgh, UK. He was chairman of the advisory group on The Teaching of Citizenship and Democracy in Schools and was presented with the Political Studies Association's Fiftieth Anniversary Award for lifetime achievement in political studies in 2000.
Preface to the Fifth Edition \ Acknowledgements \ 1. The Bature of Political Rule \ 2. A Defence of Politics Against Ideology \ 3. A Defence of Politics Against Democracy \ 4. A Defence of Politics against Nationalism \ 5. A Defence of Politics Against Technology \ 6. A Defence of Politics Against False Friends \ The non-political conservative \ The a-political liberal \ The anti-political socialist \ 7. In Praise of Politics \ Three Footnotes \ A Footnote to Rally the Academic Professors of Politics (1964) \ A Footnote to Rally Fellow Socialists (1982) \ A Final Footnote to Rally Those Who Grudge the Price (1992) \ Epilogue (2000)