The postmodern political condition

The debate about the nature of modernity and postmodernity has become central to intellectual culture today. In this work, two distinguished social theorists make a distinctive contribution to this continuing discussion. Heller and Feher analyse the causes of the recent changes in the vocabulary of present day politics, summarizing the result in the term "the postmodern political condition". By examining whether the postmodern debate has any relevance to practical politcs today, the authors re-evaluate many concepts - such as socialism and democracy - which have been at the centre of debates for many years. In this they focus on a variety of processes, including the breakdown of the political narrative - identified by some as the end of ideology - the forms of morality which can operate within democratic politics today, and the role of political, social and cultural movements. All this is located within the framework of the decline of Europe as a cultural and political centre, and within the discourse of political philosophy. This book will be of interest to those concerned with current debates in social theory, cultural studies and philosophy.