The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Political Thought [Paperback]

Roger Scruton (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1403989524 | ISBN-13: 978-1403989529 | Publication Date: April 17, 2007 | Edition: First Edition

Roger Scruton's Dictionary of Political Thought has been widely acclaimed as a profound and incisive guide to political ideas. This new edition takes stock of the revolutionary political changes that have taken place since the dictionary was first published in 1982, bringing the dictionary right up to date. Some 1790 entries cover every aspect of political thought, defining concepts and ideologies, surveying the arguments on issues, giving capsule histories of political institutions, and summarizing (with newly expanded treatment) the thought of major political theorists. The dictionary provides a readable and impartial survey of political thought, of immense value to students of political science, government, philosophy and jurisprudence as well as to the general reader with an interest in ideas.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

ROGER SCRUTON is Visiting Professor in the Department of Philosophy at the University of Buckingham. He is an infamous right-wing thinker and journalist. He has published over 30 books on philosophy, political analysis and novels.

Product Details

• Paperback: 760 pages
• Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan; First Edition edition (April 17, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1403989524
• ISBN-13: 978-1403989529
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #670,377 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PHILOSOPHY AS IT RELATES TO POLITICS, September 16, 2000

By 

Loren D. Morrison "amateur_reviewer" (Los Angeles County, U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Dictionary of Political Thought (Paperback)

In yet another year of 30 second sound bites that we are asked to believe represent well thought out positions on substantive issues, I would recommend this book as an unbiased source for finding out what such words as "liberalism" and "conservatism" really mean.

This reference book goes much deeper than mere definitions in its discussions of everything from the philosophies of Kierkegaard and Heidegger, as they relate to political thinking, to such diverse concepts as "infrastructure," "political economy," and "due process." There are over 1500 entries in all, and each one sheds some light on terms that are bandied about, and frequently misunderstood, by politicians seeking support. There are also many other terms, some common and some obscure, that are discussed.

I think that any reader could benefit by reading the discussions under the aforementioned topics of "Liberalism" and "Conservatism." There might be some surprises awaiting that reader. There is a lot more, and sometimes a lot less, substance than is commonly understood about these political philosophies. Neither discussion fits the negative images presented by the opponents of each of these political philosophies. There seem to be negatives and positives to both.

There is also an excellent discussions on the subject of existentialism and its meaning in the context of late 20th century and early 21st century politics.

Just a few other ideas of what awaits the user of A DICTIONARY OF POLITICAL THOUGHT:

An excellent discussion on the subject of "education" as the process whereby a rational being is instructed and the political implications of this instruction.

A discussion of the concepts of a political party and what distinguishes a party from a faction.

There's much more to this dictionary which might be better defined as an encyclopedia. I think that, during any campaign year, this book, with its many definitions and concept clarifications should be at one's side whenever he or she is listening to any campaign rhetoric.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An especially good dictionary of 'political conceptions', April 6, 2006

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: A Dictionary of Political Thought (Paperback)

This dictionary is especially good. This is because it was written entirely by Roger Scruton, one of the most distinguished political philosophers of modern times.
He says the aim of the dictionary has been " to extract, both from active debate, and from the theories and intuitions which surround it, the principal ideas through which modern political beliefs find expression. The emphasis of the dictionary is conceptual rather than factual, exploring the formuation of docrtines rather than specific application. Political events are mentioned only when they cast light on intellectual conceptions."

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Probably the best political dictionary there is, February 9, 2010

By 

Oli "Oli" (London) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Palgrave Macmillan Dictionary of Political Thought (Paperback)

While Scruton's latest books are fluffy right wing stuff written in his present incarnation as the Country Life/Spectator court philosopher, this is a towering achievement. Comprehensive and informative, it is in my view the best single reference to politics there is, and should be a standard reference book.