A leading critic and historian of nineteenth-century art and society explores in nine essays the interaction of art, society, ideas, and politics.

In this book, a leading critic and historian of nineteenth-century art and society explores in nine essays the interaction of art, society, ideas, and politics.

Politics without Vision takes up the thought of seven influential thinkers, each of whom attempted to construct a political solution to this problem: Nietzsche, Weber, Freud, Lenin, Schmitt, Heidegger, and Arendt. None of these theorists were liberals nor, excepting possibly Arendt, were they democrats—and some might even be said to have served as handmaidens to totalitarianism. And all to a greater or lesser extent shared the common conviction that the institutions and practices of liberalism are inadequate to the demands and stresses of the present times. In examining their thought, Strong acknowledges the political evil that some of their ideas served to foster but argues that these were not necessarily the only paths their explorations could have taken. By uncovering the turning points in their thought—and the paths not taken—Strong strives to develop a political theory that can avoid, and perhaps help explain, the mistakes of the past while furthering the democratic impulse.

This new fourth edition includes four revised chapters together with a substantially expanded chapter on Photography, Modernity and Art.

This investigation of the evolving foreign aid policies of 18 developed nations challenges conventional international relations theory and explains how ethical commitments and humanitarian convictions can help to structure global politics.

First published in 2004. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.