The History of Ideas: Equality, Justice and Revolution

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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' ObserverIn 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 futureFrom 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

'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

'Praise for Confronting Leviathan and David Runciman: 'Bracingly intelligent ... a wonderful read' - Mark Mazower

'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

'A brilliant introduction for anyone looking to engage with political debates beyond the headlines ... Excellent' - Joshua Pugh Ginn

Author Bio

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.