ABSTRACT
In this chapter, political ideologies are examined. It begins by reviewing the nature of political ideology, considering the history of the term and significant theoretical accounts of its identity. Once a framework is established to understand the nature of political ideologies and to appreciate the contested character of their identity, the rest of the chapter is devoted to presenting short accounts of the most significant political ideologies. Evidently, in one chapter only a brief introduction to specific political ideologies can be given. Brevity, however, can be a virtue as well as a vice, and the object of this chapter is to enable students to have an overall view of political ideologies and of the leading political ideologies. This overview should help students see the wood for the trees, and subsequently they can consult some of the excellent detailed studies referred to during the chapter. Political ideologies Sets of political beliefs involving programmes of political action which draw on large-
scale views about human nature and/or historical development.
