Political Visions & Illusions: A Survey & Christian Critique of Contemporary Ideologies
David Koyzis
A searing analysis of various political ideologies from a Christian perspective. If you want to understand the contemporary ideas underlying out politically polarized age- start here. 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.
So where does a biblically Christian worldview take us? If, as I have been arguing, the various ideologies are rooted in an idolatrous religion, then what does a nonidolatrous approach to society and politics look like? To begin with, it properly and unquestionably acknowledges the sovereignty of God over the whole of life.