The Philosophic Roots of Modern Ideology: Liberalism, Communism, Fascism, Islamism

by David E. Ingersoll, Andrew Davison

A collection of philosophically oriented essays on the three main political ideologies of liberalism, communism, and fascism, this book provides an overview for readers who have little or no knowledge of the basic political idea systems of modern times. It offers analyses of some of the major political thinkers of the modern age: Hobbes, Locke, Burke, Jefferson, Madison, Rousseau, Marx, Lenin, Gorbachev, Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Hitler, Mussolini, Khomeni, and more. For anyone who wants a better understanding of the conflicts and actions of groups and individuals who see the world through different ideological lenses.

Genres: Philosophy

312 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1986

Reviews

[Alexander Curran]

The Philosophic Roots of Modern Ideology gives us some rather well-known titans of the modern age: Hobbes, Locke, Burke, Jefferson, Madison, Rousseau, Marx, Lenin, Gorbachev, Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping, Hitler, Mussolini, Khomeni, and more.
The book was mostly unbiased and analysed each core worldview with pros and cons... The main aspect is that in our present day setting we find Islamism and Liberalism seem to be on a global scale the prominent ideologies leading the way. Whereas Fascism and Communism have not disappeared completely but declined in their current applications; While still making an appearance in Europe and Asia has come to be frowned upon mostly by the Liberal minded parts of the World.

Overall The Philosophical Roots of Modern Ideology shows us that modern ideology was birthed by the prominent philosophies that came before. Philosophy that was enriched by idealism from Hegel or Kant and then later further adapted by various thinkers in the 20th century. When the Great depression hit the World, certain ideologies were again put into effect as to provide solutions to an economical woeful period.
While it is fait to say that all ideologies are functionable and play to their strengths, most fall into the trap of playing the blame game and focusing on enemies or opponents which they want to destroy or undermine them. This produces such a vacuum that positive effects are noticed at first because wealth becomes redirected, job creation becomes possible from those it is taken from.
The book is an effective examination of philosophical foundations that would shape the 20th century and onwards towards the present as we see the more prominent ones still in effect.

[trendajerry]

This book provides a concise summary of the three dominating ideologies in the modern age. I personally learnt a lot about liberalism and communism which I had not known before reading this book. The writing style is very academic, it's not an easy read, but it is well worth the patience for its insightful commentary on the three ideologies and their inter-relations with political parties in recent history, such as the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany. The book is also fairly unbiased when considering these ideologies and the writer consciously considers the goods and bads of each belief system. Fascism was perhaps the most bashed in this book, but what else is to be expected. It's hard for an academic these days not to bash Hitler more than the rest (even though Stalin was worse). I really liked this book. I'd recommend this book to people interested in politics, history and philosophy.

[Gideon Sobek]

This book is an excellent overview of major political and philosophical ideologies, beginning in feudal Europe and including State of Nature theorists, Marx and his derivatives, Islamism and Feminism. It is generally unbiased and seeks to describe the internal logic of each ideology, explicate its origins and effects, and lists suggested readings after each chapter. It is scholarly and well planned.