Overview
Imagine a world in which means and ends, theory and practice, ideals, values, and interests, are torturously disassociated and yet manifestly linked. That is the world of the 20th century as Stephen Eric Bronner vividly portrays it in his important new work, Ideas in Action. Now imagine a world in which new traditions mix with the old, creativity blends with commitment, and values from the past combine with bold visions of the future. Creating this new fusion, says Professor Bronner, is the challenge for the 21st century and it inspires Ideas in Action. Contemporary political theory has become alienated from politics. It often neither discusses concrete political events nor touches the world of political action. That is an intellectual luxury the academy of the 21st century can ill-afford, and Ideas in Action offers an accessible way out of the box into which the canon of political theory and philosophy has been stuffed.With elegance and power, Bronner surveys 20th century political traditions. In the process, he places theories and thinkers in their social, historical, and political contexts. His sweeping presentation is organized into four imaginatively articulated phases that signal the direction of political thinking in the twentieth century.Offering distinctive interpretations and criticisms, presenting a new internationalist perspective, Bronner imbues the work with original voices and primary sources from the very canon he is reconfiguring. Careful notes of citation and explanation provide a pedagogical subtext that serves as a running bibliographic essay. All this and more makes Ideas in Action the perfect core or supplemental book for courses not only in political science, but philosophy, sociology, history, and cultural studies as well. Ideas in Action is a book for thinking people seeking to understand the past and shape the next millennium in terms of a new planetary outlook and a cosmopolitan sensibility. Students will enjoy reading it, flock to the primary sources, and engage their class discussions with new knowledge and a new spirit. Professors will find a refreshing and original way to teach familiar material and assuredly use the book as a foil for arguments and debates on all sides of many issues.
Synopsis
Contemporary political theory has become alienated from politics. It often neither discusses concrete political events nor touches the world of political action. Stephen Eric Bronner wants to change that, and Ideas in Action takes a bold step in that direction. With elegance and power, Bronner surveys 20th century political traditions. In the process, he places theories and thinkers in their social, historical, and political contexts. His sweeping presentation is organized into four imaginatively articulated phases that signal the direction of political thinking in the twentieth century. Offering distinctive interpretations and criticisms, presenting a new internationalist perspective, Bronner imbues the text with original voices and primary sources from Adorno to Zetkin.
Judith Grant
Stephen Eric Bronner is one of the most original and provocative political theorists writing today. "Ideas in Action" exhibits his uniquely internationalist and fascinating perspective, grounded in the most progressive aspects of the liberal and socialist traditions..
Editorials
Canadian Journal Of History
Covers a wide terrain while maintaining precision and readability. This book offers an impressive and accessible survey of its subject.CHOICE
Bronner takes political ideas seriously because they are the filter through which people see, organize, interpret, and attempt to change the world. He presents an intelligent, well-written, progressive analysis and evaluation of major 20th-century political theory and movements. . . . Bronner's continuing criticism of failures to develop political practice that can engage changing conditions and opportunities makes this book especially valuable.H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online
Stunning in its scope and breadth. . . . One of the most refreshing aspects of this work is that Bronner has both hope and political commitment, and he also thinks that theory and ideas are a means of furthering political goals. His work is a reminder that political theory has contributed to political action in the past and that theory continually needs to be reinvented so that it can matter again in the present.H-Net: Humanities and Social Science Reviews Online
Stunning in its scope and breadth. . . . One of the most refreshing aspects of this work is that Bronner has both hope and political commitment, and he also thinks that theory and ideas are a means of furthering political goals. His work is a reminder that political theory has contributed to political action in the past and that theory continually needs to be reinvented so that it can matter again in the present.Labor History
Is written in an accessible style, and contains lively observations. Bronner's writing is in sveral ways both courageous and challenging.New Political Science
Like the Owl of Minerva, Stephen Eric Bronner sweeps over history, in this case the last 150 years of mass politics and political theory. If you sometimes (probably often) think 'my students know no history,' then this is definitely a book to try., From the ‘48ers to the ‘68ers to ‘98, he packs in a lot of narrative in an engaging and direct style. This is not at all a textbook with timelines and summary boxes; it suits a student who wants well-chosen reading, usually the 'classic' book or article, handily keyed to the text with footnotes.Political Studies
It is hard not to be compelled by the energy and acuteness of Bronner's thinking.Political Studies Review
It is hard not to be compelled by the energy and acuteness of Bronner's thinking.Radical History Review
Ideas in Action is in the main written in an accessible style, and it contains lively obsrvations. Bronner's writing is in several ways both corageous and challenging.— Rhodri Jeffreys-Jones, University of Edinburgh