Politics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

The new Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects from politics to classics. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each book in the series provides trenchant, provocative, yet balanced discussions on the central issues of the field, gives a readable historical account of the subject, and demonstrates how each particular area of study has developed and shaped society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering readers an affordable, accessible, and complete reference library. Stimulating and lively, the Very Short Introductions are indispensable guides and essential reading for anyone interested in the development of these influential fields.

Providing the general reader and the student with an introduction to the central issues of political science, A Very Short Introduction to Politics shows how political trends and maneuvers develop and how they help shape our society. Kenneth Minogue, with his lively and popular style, begins with a discussion of issues arising from a historical account of politics, and goes on to offer chapters dealing with the Ancient Greeks and the idea of citizenship; Roman law; medieval Christianity and individualism; freedom since Machiavelli and Hobbes; the challenge of ideologies; democracy, oligarchy, and bureaucracy; power and order in modern society; and politics in the West. Readable and pithy, this entertaining introduction is perfect for anyone looking for an accessible overview of the subject.

In a perfect outline of the field, Minogue covers the history of political thought from the ancients throught the moderns, enticing one to know more about the rise western civilization, "how we got here," and why peaceful societies must cultivate the art of politics. He then moves on to foreign relations, analytical methods, and modern democratic functional topics.

One gem of concision concerns politics as ideology and the difference it makes, the topic of which professor Minogue is quite simply the authority. If this moves you, then pick up his classic "The Liberal Mind," newly reissued--or else for a serious education, "Alien Powers: The Pure Theory of Ideology." Whether you want to grasp the seductive thrall that enraptures ideologists from Eric J. Hobsbawm to John Gray, or from historic communism to today's Islamism, "Alien Powers" is an essential guide to unmasking all pretense of knowledge.

Bravo, professor! Thanks for a masterful primer.


Excellent Overview!   September 15, 2009
Falcon
Being new to the study of politics, I was looking for a quick, concise introduction to the subject. I found it in "Politics: A Very Short Introduction". It is well-written and expresses many of the foundational concepts in politics, drawing on the classics to support its main points. Although the writing is fairly complex (college-level), it is still manageable. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a quick overview of the history of politics and a framework for interpretation of modern political events.


casual, but meaningful; informed but not arrogant   July 18, 2009
Very Short Introduction fan (San Francisco, CA, USA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful

Great primer for a subject that is so complex yet fundamental to everyday life. Author does a great job presenting a well-rounded introduction to politics. I appreciated especially (maybe as a non-Western reader) the first half of the book which guides us through the development of the political world from Greek times up till the 20th century.


Good overview, but not clear   May 19, 2004
Gill Patrick (California)
13 out of 20 found this review helpful

This book suffers from its overall argument, which is that the notion of politics has been construed, expanded, and has therefore become meaningless. In Minogue's view, if everything from reading a poem to conducting a love affair is considered political, then politics ultimately becomes meaningless. Minogue suggests that the death of true politics is somewhat of a paradox. If politics becomes the micromanagement of social life, in his words: "Politics will have died, but everything will be politics" (p. 111). I do not necessarily disagree with this argument, but Minogue does not sufficiently explain what is wrong with the view that everything is political, and he does not sufficiently explain what true politics should be. Given that the book title is "A Very Short Introduction," it seems the author would explain the nature of politics in detail and what politics is or should be.

Minogue never really explains what politics is, and this becomes a problem throughout the book. In the last chapter and in one or two other places in the book, he mentions that politics has something to do with power, but he does not elaborate this point. In the beginning of the book he discusses the problems with despotism, but then later in the book (p. 106) he argues that despotism is opposed to politics. In my view, politics is ultimately about the issue of power, the power of how society should be organized, and how that power should be divided. In this sense, despotism is very much political, although it is not desirable, since political power is designated to one or very few people.

Minogue's lack of discussion of political power and his strange view of despotism as opposed to politics affects his discussion of democracy, or the lack of a discussion there of. As the publisher's book description points out, Minogue does discuss the history of politics and the history of political thought, but the thing he fails to do in this discussion is to explain the difference between ancient and modern democracy. The Ancient Greeks invented democracy, but how was their form of direct participatory democracy different than modern liberal representative democracy? Minogue never explains this. Since most Western governments are democratic, and since democracy is considered the ideal form of government, it would seem Minogue would spend more time on this topic.

One of the other problematic arguments that Minogue puts forward that may confuse the introductory student is his notion that "ideology challenges politics" (chapter 12). Although Minogue is considered an "expert" on ideology, I disagree with his view that ideology is opposed to politics and that ideology merely represents "dogmatic conviction." Minogue defines ideology as those systems of beliefs which are self-referential, and he only identifies Marxism, radical feminism, and anarchism as such systems. He suggests these systems are opposed to politics. In my view, ideology is very much a part of politics. Ideology represents the system of beliefs and world view in which we interpret reality and politics. In this sense, liberalism, Marxism, Fascism, feminism, Islam, Christianity, Zionism, etc. all represent ideologies. Minogue seems to think that it is possible to transcend ideology and view politics from an untainted and non-ideological standpoint. I would argue that such a view is ideological in itself, since we always interpret reality from some standpoint or position that most likely contains underlying reasons and a philosophical basis. Minogue may define ideology differently in his other books, but his discussion in this book is very limited and confusing.

Although Minogue certainly has a comprehensive understanding of political history and political thought, the overall argument of this book is much too ambitious, and it does not provide clear and thorough explanations that an introductory text requires.