Ideology is one of the most controversial terms in the political vocabulary exciting both revulsion & inspiration This book examines the reasons for those views & explains why ideologies deserve respect as a major form of political thinking It investigates the centrality of ideology both as a political phenomenon & as an organizing framework of political thought & action It explores the changing understandings of ideology as a concept & the arguments of the main ideologies By employing the latest insights from a range of disciplines the reader is introduced to the vitality & force of a crucial resource at the disposal of societies through which sense & purpose is assigned to the political world ABOUT THE SERIES The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly Our expert authors combine facts analysis perspective new ideas & enthusiasm to make interesting & challenging topics highly readable