Ideologies in the Age of Extremes
Liberalism, Conservatism, Communism, Fascism 1914-1991
This is a history of political ideologies during the period from the First World War to the collapse of the Soviet Union, famously described by Eric Hobsbawm as 'The Age of Extremes'.
By introducing the key ideologies of the twentieth-century: liberalism, conservatism, communism and fascism, and considering them in in relation to each other, Willie Thompson shows how these philosophies often emerged from a common root or merged into a common future, stealing each other’s clothes and reinventing themselves as the stark opposite of a competing ideology.
This sophisticated yet accessible analysis will be of great interest to students of 20th century history and political theory.
By introducing the key ideologies of the twentieth-century: liberalism, conservatism, communism and fascism, and considering them in in relation to each other, Willie Thompson shows how these philosophies often emerged from a common root or merged into a common future, stealing each other’s clothes and reinventing themselves as the stark opposite of a competing ideology.
This sophisticated yet accessible analysis will be of great interest to students of 20th century history and political theory.
Willie Thompson was Professor of Contemporary History at Glasgow Caledonian University. His books include Work, Sex and Power, Ideologies in the Age of Extremes and What Happened to History? He was vice-president of the Socialist History Society.
'Wide-ranging, well-informed and measured in its judgements, Willie Thompson's new book provides a first-rate introduction to movements and ideas in the so-called 'age of ideologies'' - Professor Kevin Morgan, School of Social Sciences, University of Manchester
'Aptly characterises the deadly contest over which ideology shall prevail, ending with Fascism's destruction in war, communism's dissolution from within, and liberalism/conservatism's emergence intact' - CHOICE
PART 1 – AGE OF CATASTROPHE 1918-45
1. Economic and Social Developments
2. Liberalism 1918-1945
3. Conservatism 1917-1945
4. Communism 1914-1945
5. Fascism 1917-1945
PART 2 – GOLDEN YEARS
6. Economic & Social Conditions
7. Liberalism on the Right 1945-73
8. Liberalism on the Left 1945-73
9. Communism 1945-73
10. Conservatism and Fascism 1945-73
PART 3 – CRISIS
11. Economic and Social Conditions 1973-91
12. Liberalism And Conservatism Coalesce 1973-1991
13. Communism 1973-91
14. Fascism 1973-91
15. Aftermath
Notes
Index
1. Economic and Social Developments
2. Liberalism 1918-1945
3. Conservatism 1917-1945
4. Communism 1914-1945
5. Fascism 1917-1945
PART 2 – GOLDEN YEARS
6. Economic & Social Conditions
7. Liberalism on the Right 1945-73
8. Liberalism on the Left 1945-73
9. Communism 1945-73
10. Conservatism and Fascism 1945-73
PART 3 – CRISIS
11. Economic and Social Conditions 1973-91
12. Liberalism And Conservatism Coalesce 1973-1991
13. Communism 1973-91
14. Fascism 1973-91
15. Aftermath
Notes
Index
Published by Pluto Press in Dec 2010
Paperback ISBN: 9780745327112
eBook ISBN: 9781783713981
eBook ISBN: 9781783713981
150mm x 230mm