Post-Imperial Democracies
Ideology and Party Formation in Third Republic France, Weimar Germany, and Post-Soviet Russia

Hanson utilizes a comparative-historical analysis of three cases of 'post-imperial democracy' to examine the importance of ideology in creating an enduring party organization in uncertain democracies.

Stephen E. Hanson (Author)

9780521709859, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 5 July 2010

306 pages
22.8 x 15.3 x 1.7 cm, 0.42 kg

'In many respects, Stephen E. Hanson's intellectually provocative and conceptually innovative study is an attempt to refute the argument … that ideology would fade away in our post-industrial, postmodern, post-utopian and post-historical age.' The Times Literary Supplement

This book examines the causal impact of ideology through a comparative-historical analysis of three cases of 'post-imperial democracy': the early Third Republic in France (1870–86); the Weimar Republic in Germany (1918–34); and post-Soviet Russia (1992–2008). Hanson argues that political ideologies are typically necessary for the mobilization of enduring, independent national party organizations in uncertain democracies. By presenting an explicit and desirable picture of the political future, successful ideologues induce individuals to embrace a long-run strategy of cooperation with other converts. When enough new converts cooperate in this way, it enables sustained collective action to defend and extend party power. Successful party ideologies thus have the character of self-fulfilling prophecies: by portraying the future polity as one organized to serve the interests of those loyal to specific ideological principles, they help to bring political organizations centered on these principles into being.

Part I: 1. Weberian methodological individualism
2. A Weberian theory of ideology
3. Ideology and party formation
Part II: 4. The founding of the French Third Republic
5. The rise and fall of the Weimar Republic
6. Post-Soviet Russia
7. Conclusion: bringing ideology back in.

Subject Areas: Comparative politics [JPB], Politics & government [JP], European history [HBJD]