Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring Ideology has been one of the most controversial terms in our political vocabulary, exciting both denigration and inspiration. In this Very Short Introduction Michael Freeden considers the reasons for those views and explains why ideologies deserve respect as a major type of political thinking. Freeden investigates the centrality of ideology both as a political phenomenon and as an organizing framework of political thought and action. He explores the major theorists and schools of ideology for the past two centuries and scrutinizes the arguments of the most influential ideologies, such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, communism, and fascism, as well as addressing feminism, nationalism, environmentalism, populism, and the extreme right. 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, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.