The History of Ideas
Equality, Justice and Revolution
Published on 3. July 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
320 pages
978-1-80081-592-6 (ISBN)
Description
THE TIMES BEST IDEAS BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR 2024
'A splendid book: economical, invigorating and surprising' The Times
'He has that gift, both as a podcaster and as a writer, to illuminate abstruse and abstract ideas with human charm' Observer
In this bold new follow-up to Confronting Leviathan, David Runciman unmasks modern politics and reveals the great men and women of ideas behind it.
What can Samuel Butler's ideas teach us about the oddity of how we choose to organise our societies? How did Frederick Douglass not only expose the horrors of slavery, but champion a new approach to abolishing it? Why should we tolerate snobbery, betrayal and hypocrisy, as Judith Shklar suggested? And what does Friedrich Nietzsche predict for our future?
From Rousseau to Rawls, fascism to feminism and pleasure to anarchy, this is a mind-bending tour through the history of ideas which will forever change your view of politics today.
'A splendid book: economical, invigorating and surprising' The Times
'He has that gift, both as a podcaster and as a writer, to illuminate abstruse and abstract ideas with human charm' Observer
In this bold new follow-up to Confronting Leviathan, David Runciman unmasks modern politics and reveals the great men and women of ideas behind it.
What can Samuel Butler's ideas teach us about the oddity of how we choose to organise our societies? How did Frederick Douglass not only expose the horrors of slavery, but champion a new approach to abolishing it? Why should we tolerate snobbery, betrayal and hypocrisy, as Judith Shklar suggested? And what does Friedrich Nietzsche predict for our future?
From Rousseau to Rawls, fascism to feminism and pleasure to anarchy, this is a mind-bending tour through the history of ideas which will forever change your view of politics today.
Reviews / Votes
Runciman is a superbly lucid and conversational guide - this is a perfect starting place for anyone who wants to get their teeth into the history of political philosophy * The Times * The History of Ideas still feels like the best book about modern politics I've read in ages ... a splendid book: economical, invigorating and surprising -- James Marriott Timely ... [Runciman's] page-turning volume of essays - a study of intellectuals who sought to improve the politics and societies of their day - makes you feel a little more learned than you did before ... he has that gift, both as a podcaster and as a writer, to illuminate abstruse and abstract ideas with human charm * Observer * Timely ... important * Irish Times * Praise for Confronting Leviathan and David Runciman: 'Bracingly intelligent ... a wonderful read -- Mark Mazower * Guardian * Incredibly timely ... wonderful elegance and clarity through which complex ideas are presented ... That the book helps make thinking about the state enjoyable is just the least of its many exceptional qualities -- Pascal Donohue * Irish Times * A brilliant introduction for anyone looking to engage with political debates beyond the headlines ... Excellent -- Joshua Pugh Ginn * Herald * One of the great modern writers of democracy -- Anne Applebaum In our time of Trump and Putin, the re-emergence of far-right fascism and the consolidation of global kleptocracy, the ideas Runciman explores have never been so pertinent -- Ian Hughes * The Irish Times *More details
Edition
Main
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
260 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80081-592-6 (9781800815926)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
David Runciman is Professor of Politics at the University of Cambridge. His previous books include The Handover, Confronting Leviathan, Where Power Stops and How Democracy Ends. He writes regularly about politics for the London Review of Books, and hosts the acclaimed podcasts Talking Politics and Past Present Future.