- 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 transcendthe 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 ofour 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.



Richard J. Mouw (PhD, University of Chicago) is a senior research fellow at the Henry Institute for the Study of Religion and Politics at Calvin University. He previously served as the president of Fuller Theological Seminary (1993–2013) and directed their Institute of Faith and Public Life (2013–2020). In 2007, Princeton Theological Seminary awarded him the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life. He is the author of over twenty books, including UncommonDecency, Adventures in Evangelical Civility, Restless Faith, and All That God Cares About.







David T. Koyzis is affiliated with Global Scholars Canada and is engaged in an international academic ministry of writing, researching, lecturing, and conversing with readers of his books. He is the author of Political Visions and Illusions and We Answer to Another: Authority, Office, and the Image of God. He taught undergraduate political science for thirty years and lives with his family in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.



Preface



1. Introduction: Ideology, Religion and Idolatry

Politics and Ideas

History and Definitions

Ideology in Christian Perspective

Preconditions for the Rise of Ideologies

Ideology as Religious: Toward a Definition

The Classification of Ideologies: Left and Right

Discerning the Spirits in the Ideologies



2. Liberalism: The Sovereignty of the Individual

The Meanings of Liberalism

The LiberalCreed

Late Liberalism and the Expansion of the State

The Right and the Good: Subsidizing Choices

The Spiritually Vacant State: The Privatization of Ultimate Belief

Sin and Salvation in Liberalism



3. Conservatism: History as Source of Norms

Babies and Bathwater: The Conservative Creed

The Grass Is Greener on Our Side

Which Traditions and When?

Conservatism and Christianity

Conservatism and the State



4. Nationalism: The Nation Deified

A Creed for a Century

Civic and Ethnic Nationalisms: State Versus Tribe

The Nationalist View of the State

Patriotic Loyalty: A Modest Devotion

Christians and Nationalism



5. Democracy: Vox Populi Vox Dei

Structure and Creed

From Liberalism to Democracy

The Majoritarian and Totalitarian Temptations

Democratization Without Limits

Creed and Structure Revisited: Direct Versus Representative Democracy

Representation: Followership or Leadership?

Democracy and Justice: A Final Assessment



6. Socialism: Common Ownership as Salvific

A World of Socialisms

A Transformative Vision

From Democracy to Socialism

Common Ownership and Socialist Ideology

Means and Ends: Equality and How to Get There

The Marxian Vision and Marxism

Fair Distribution of Economic Resources



7. Transcending the Ideologies: Affirming Societal Pluriformity

A Biblical Christian Response

A Christian Worldview: Creation, Fall and Redemption

Creation Order: Misconceptions Dispelled

Discerning the Spirits: Pluralisms and Pluriformity



8. Toward a Nonideological Alternative: Two Historic Christian Approaches

The Role of Catholic Social Teachings

The Principle of Subsidiarity: Affirming Civil Society

The Reformation: Calvin and Althusius

Developments in the Netherlands: Groen and Kuyper

Sovereignty in Its Own Sphere: A Nonhierarchical Affirmation of Civil Society

Dooyeweerd's Contribution



9. The State and Its Task: Doing Justice in God's World

Justiceand Differentiated Responsibility

Justice and the State



Epilogue: Toward the Future



Selected Bibliography



Index