Political Visions & Illusions: A Survey & Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies

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InterVarsity Press, Sep 20, 2009 - Religion - 256 pages
Named Best Book (Culture) in the 2004 Word Guild Canadian Writing Awards! The end of the Cold War has brought about more than the triumph of some political ideologies and the disappearance of others. In fact, the collapse of communism has created a vacuum quickly being filled by various alternative visions, ranging from ethnic nationalism to individualistic liberalism. But political ideologies are not merely a matter of governmental efficacy. Rather, political ideologies are intrinsically and inescapably religious--each carries certain assumptions about the nature of reality, individuals and society, as well as a particular vision for the common good. These fundamental beliefs transcend the political sphere, and the astute Christian observer should thus discern the subtle ways in which ideologies are rooted in idolatrous worldviews. In this comprehensive study, political scientist David Koyzis surveys the key political ideologies of our era, including liberalism, conservatism, nationalism, democracy and socialism. Each philosophy is given careful analysis and fair critique, unpacking the worldview issues inherent to each and pointing out essential strengths and weaknesses. Koyzis concludes by proposing alternative models that flow out of Christianity's historic engagement with the public square, retrieving approaches that hold promise for the complex political realities of the twenty-first century. Writing with broad, international perspective and keen analytical insight, Koyzis offers a sound guide for Christians working in the public square, culture watchers, political pundits and all students of modern political thought.
 

Contents

PREFACE
7
Ideology Religion and Idolatry
13
The Sovereignty of the Individual
42
Sin and Salvation in Liberalism
68
The Nation Deified
97
State Versus Tribe
108
A Modest Devotion
116
Vox Populi Vox
124
The Majoritarian and Totalitarian Temptations
132
Common Ownership as Salvific
152
Doing Justice in Gods World
244
TOWARD THE FUTURE
265
INDEX
278
97
279
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About the author (2009)

Koyzis (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame) is professor of political science at Redeemer University College in Ancaster, Ontario.

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