What you believe about politics matters. The decades since the Cold War, with new alignments of post-9/11 global politics and the chaos of the late 2010s, are swirling with alternative visions of political life, ranging from ethnic nationalism to individualistic liberalism. Political ideologies are not merely a matter of governmental efficacy, but 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 can discern the ways-sometimes subtle, sometimes not-in which ideologies are rooted in idolatrous worldviews. In this freshly updated, comprehensive study, political scientist David Koyzis surveys the key political ideologies of our era, including liberalism, conservatism, nationalism, democracy, and socialism. Koyzis gives each philosophy careful analysis and fair critique, unpacking the worldview issues inherent to each and pointing out essential strengths and weaknesses, as well as revealing the "narrative structure" of each-the stories they tell to make sense of public life and the direction of history. Koyzis concludes by proposing alternative models that flow out of Christianity's historic engagement with the public square, retrieving approaches for both individuals and the global, institutional church that hold promise for the complex political realities of the twenty-first century. Writing with broad international perspective and keen analytical insight, Koyzis is a sane and sensible guide for Christians working in the public square, culture watchers, political pundits, and all students of modern political thought.
Show moreWhat you believe about politics matters. The decades since the Cold War, with new alignments of post-9/11 global politics and the chaos of the late 2010s, are swirling with alternative visions of political life, ranging from ethnic nationalism to individualistic liberalism. Political ideologies are not merely a matter of governmental efficacy, but 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 can discern the ways-sometimes subtle, sometimes not-in which ideologies are rooted in idolatrous worldviews. In this freshly updated, comprehensive study, political scientist David Koyzis surveys the key political ideologies of our era, including liberalism, conservatism, nationalism, democracy, and socialism. Koyzis gives each philosophy careful analysis and fair critique, unpacking the worldview issues inherent to each and pointing out essential strengths and weaknesses, as well as revealing the "narrative structure" of each-the stories they tell to make sense of public life and the direction of history. Koyzis concludes by proposing alternative models that flow out of Christianity's historic engagement with the public square, retrieving approaches for both individuals and the global, institutional church that hold promise for the complex political realities of the twenty-first century. Writing with broad international perspective and keen analytical insight, Koyzis is a sane and sensible guide for Christians working in the public square, culture watchers, political pundits, and all students of modern political thought.
Show moreForeword by Richard J. Mouw
Preface to the Second Edition
1. Introduction: Ideology, Religion, and Idolatry
2. Liberalism: The Sovereignty of the Individual
3. Conservatism: History as Source of Norms
4. Nationalism: The Jealous God of Nation
5. Democracy or Democratism? When the People Claim Too Much
6. Socialism: Common Ownership as Redemptive
7. Transcending the Ideologies: Affirming Societal Pluriformity
8. Toward a Nonideological Alternative: Two Historic Christian
Approaches
9. The State and Its Task: Doing Justice in God's World
Epilogue: Toward the Future
Concluding Ecclesiological Postscript
Discussion Questions
Selected Bibliography
Index
David T. Koyzis holds the PhD in government and international studies from the University of Notre Dame. He taught undergraduate political science for thirty years.
"Although the first edition of Political Visions and Illusions has
already been praised in Brazil as an invaluable tool of Christian
political formation, from young students and clergy to federal
prosecutors and career politicians, the new edition confirms itself
as a classic. The author deepens the conversation of ideology and
idolatry, recovering the central role of narrative for ideology. He
greatly enhances his explanation and extracts the equivalents of
the biblical creation/fall/redemption/consummation narrative
ingrained within the core stories of liberalism, conservatism,
nationalism, democratism, and socialism. Dr. Koyzis also updates
his approach by engaging novel critiques of those ideologies, such
as Patrick Deneen's on liberalism; listening to relevant Christian
political thinkers, such as David L. Schindler; and introducing new
insights of his own, such as his theory of authority. The new
edition of Political Visions and Illusions carries the promise to
be an even greater blessing for the Christian political mind. I
hope we will have it in Portuguese soon."
"David Koyzis introduces readers to the range of political theories
that have emerged and competed for dominance since classical times.
He carefully and respectfully separates wheat from chaff in each of
them in terms of a Christian worldview, and in a style that is
clear, irenic, and persuasive. The second edition helpfully updates
the first in terms of major political events of the past two
decades. In an increasingly polarized world, this kind of book is
essential reading for concerned citizens of all political and
religious leanings."
"Few could have anticipated the major political upheavals witnessed
since this book first came out in 2003. Yet Koyzis's book has stood
the test of time, ranking, in my opinion, as the best introduction
to modern political thought from a Christian perspective. This
updated edition is welcome in its inclusion both of newer
literature and fresh examples to recent political developments. As
a politically engaged theologian, I'm especially thrilled to see
the addition of the 'Concluding Ecclesiological Postscript' that
could very well serve as kind of theo-political compass for church
leaders wanting navigational guidance on how churches should-and
should not-engage in political action."
"Koyzis offers an accessible, compelling, and deeply researched
introduction to the major political ideologies at work in the world
today. Throughout the book Koyzis serves the reader as a faithful
and thoughtful Christian guide through the many competing political
voices active in the public square. I've been assigning Political
Visions and Illusions in my courses on faith and politics for years
now, and I'm so grateful for a new and updated edition. It is a
true gift."
"Political Visions and Illusions is an absolutely indispensable
text written by the most significant evangelical political theorist
of our day. In it, Koyzis skillfully unmasks the idolatry in modern
political ideologies before offering a compelling nonideological
vision for politics and public life. Its relevance extends beyond
political science to the disciplines of public theology, ethics,
and philosophy-highly recommended."
"Politics involves the acquisition and use of power. It always has
a moral dimension, always offers a chance to do good, and always
carries the risk of idolatry. Updating his original work in this
second edition, Koyzis has written a superb overview of modern
politics, ideologies and the state, and their intersection with
Christian faith. Rich in scholarship, perceptive and engaging in
its analysis, and 'merely Christian' in its importance for all
followers of Jesus Christ regardless of their tradition, it's an
indispensable resource."
"The first edition of this excellent book showed in lively and
erudite prose how biblical insights into idolatry illuminate our
political life. This expanded edition increases its scope and
delineates the newer challenges we face. It is indispensable
reading."
"This second edition of David's great book is a gem. The brighter
light he now shines on his assessment of modern ideologies comes
from an in-depth assessment of the story each tells and the
idolatry exhibited in each one. This also pushes Christians to
examine the extent to which we may be compromising our dedication
to God by bowing (even unconsciously) to other gods for political
guidance. In this day of heightening nationalism, racism,
terrorism, and sheer ignorance, the message of this book could not
be more urgent or important. Read and discuss it carefully even if
it takes weeks to do so. The multiple forces at work in our
homelands and around the world will not be thwarted or redirected
by one election or one major event. Christian love of God and
neighbor demands responsible civic service and that requires the
kind of understanding provided by Political Visions and Illusions."
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