What is human nature? To what extent should state power be extended? What makes a society just? What is the best way to organize economic life?

The well-written and engaging text explores the ideas that have dominated political thought globally and examines how they are interpreted and reinterpreted within the context of the most significant ideological traditions.

Covering both the so-called "core" ideologies—liberalism, conservatism, and socialism—as well as "other" ideologies such as anarchism, nationalism, feminism, environmentalism, and multiculturalism, the Basic Political Ideas provides insights into their history and development, key themes and internal divisions, as well as their impact on contemporary political behavior, movements, parties, and governments.