Political theory
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Andrew Heywood Political Theory Third E
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Preface to the Third Edition This book was designed, first, as a general introduction to politics through the analysis of political ideas and their relationship to political practice, second, as a guide to the major concepts encountered in political analysis, and third, as a primer in political theory. This new edition aims in particular to enhance its suitability for the third purpose by taking account of modern developments in political theory and the shifting significance of the rival schools of political thought. The basic structure and general coverage of the book remain largely unchanged. The concepts discussed have been chosen because of the central role they play in political analysis. They have been grouped into sets of three interrelated terms to enable each chapter to deal with a distinctive theme, the nature of which is outlined in the introductory section. Apart from general updating, the major changes in the third edition are as follows. Greater attention is generally paid to the issues of identity and difference, especially linked to the increasing cultural and ethical pluralism of modern society. While Marx and Marxism are considered to be of enduring significance, the detailed coverage of Marxist political theory has been reduced to reflect the collapse or transformation of ‘actually existing’ Marxism. Chapter 1 has been revised to extend the discussion of political theory and consider some of the problems and challenges the discipline confronts in the twenty-first century. Elsewhere, account is taken of new issues in political theory such as governance (Chapter 3), globalization (Chapter 4) and the implications of the politics of difference (Chapter 9). Chapter 7 now addresses the issue of differentiated citizenship and examines multiculturalism as a tradition of political thought. Chapter 12 has been significantly restructured to focus more effectively on the issue of political change by considering the rival ideas of tradition, progress and utopia. Additional ‘thinker’ boxes provide a fuller coverage of key figures in political thought, and the ‘schools of political theory’ boxes have been updated and expanded. Books discussed in the text (but not those referred to in the boxes) appear with their date of current publication, as listed in the bibliography, and, where helpful, also with their date of first publication. I would like to express my very warm gratitude to Andrew Gamble and Peter Jones, who each read a draft of the first edition and made extensive comments. Their advice and criticism was both constructive and insightful, and undoubtedly improved the book, deepening and sharpening discussion at a number of points. My publisher, Steven Kennedy, has, as before, been xv a constant source of enthusiasm, encouragement and support. The most important person, however, has been my wife Jean. She was closely involved at every stage in the production of the book, taking sole responsibility for the preparation of the typescript and casting an editorial eye over the output. Finally, my sons, Mark and Robin, deserve a mention for allowing me to substitute publication for parenting, and for keeping me supplied with coffee in the process. A NDREW H EYWOOD The George Orwell excerpt opposite the Contents page is from ‘Politics and the English Language’ by George Orwell, copyright 1946 by Sonia Brownell Orwell and renewed 1974 by Sonia Orwell, reprinted from his volume Shooting an Elephant and Other Essays by permission of Harcourt Brace & Company, the estate of the late Sonia Brownell Orwell and Martin Secker & Warburg. xvi Preface to the Third Edition Chapter 1 Introduction: Concepts and Theories in Politics Introduction Language and politics Understanding political concepts What is political theory? Political theory in the twenty-first century Summary Further reading Introduction It would be misleading, indeed patently foolish, to suggest that political conflict reflects nothing more than confusion in the use of language. It is certainly true that enemies often argue, fight and even go to war, both claiming to be ‘defend- ing liberty’, ‘upholding democracy’or that ‘justice is on our side’.The intervention of some Great Lexicographer descending from the skies to demand that the par- ties to the dispute define their terms before they proceed, stating precisely what each means by ‘liberty’, ‘democracy’and ‘justice’, would surely be to no avail.The argument, fight or war would take place anyway. Politics, in other words, can never be reduced to mere semantics. And yet there is also a sense in which slop- piness in the use of language helps to protect ignorance and preserve misunder- standing. Language is both a tool with which we think and a means by which we com- municate with others. If the language we use is confused or poorly understood, it is not only difficult to express our views and opinions with any degree of accu- racy but it is also impossible to know the contents of our own minds.This book sets out to clarify and examine the major concepts and theories used in political analysis and, in so doing, to provide an introduction to some of the most recur- rent controversies in political thought.This introduction attempts to explain why this task is so difficult. Can a neutral and scientific vocabulary ever be devised for politics, and, if not, where does this leave us? Why are political concepts so often the subject of intellectual and ideological controversy? How have recent devel- opments in political theory cast doubt on the very idea of objective truth? 1 Language and politics Whatever else politics might be it is a social activity. It is therefore conducted through the medium of language, whether written in books, pamphlets and manifestos, daubed on placards and walls, or spoken in meetings, shouted at rallies or chanted on demonstrations and marches. At first sight, language is a simple thing: it is a system of expression which employs symbols, in this case words, to represent things, which can include physical objects, feelings, ideas and so forth. This implies that language is essentially passive, its role being to reflect reality as accurately as possible, rather as a mirror reflects the image before it. However, language is also a positive and active force, capable of firing the imagination and stirring the emotions. Words do not merely reflect the realities around us, they also help to shape what we see and structure our attitude towards it. In effect, language helps to create the world itself. This problem is particularly acute in politics because language is so often wielded by those who have an incentive to manipulate and confuse – professional politicians. Being primarily interested in political advocacy, politicians are typically less concerned with the precision of their language than they are with its propaganda value. Language is therefore not simply a means of communication, it is a political weapon; it is shaped and honed to convey political intent. States justify their own ‘nuclear deterrent’ but condemn other states for possessing ‘weapons of mass destruction’. The invasion of a foreign country can be described either as a ‘violation’ of its sovereignty or as the ‘liberation’ of its people. Similarly, civilian casualties of war can be dismissed as ‘collateral damage’, and genocide can appear almost excusable when it is referred to as ‘ethnic cleansing’. The language used by politicians sometimes threatens to turn euphemism into an art form, at times approaching the bizarre extremes of ‘Newspeak’, the language of the Ministry of Truth in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty- Four, which declares that War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery and Ignorance is Strength. Download 1.87 Mb. Do'stlaringiz bilan baham: |
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