In his ground-breaking study of Plaid Cymrus political philosophy, Dr Alan Sandry challenges the conventional assumption that the party conforms to the traditional model of a nationalist party, contending that it shares the political ideologies of the environmentalist Green, decentralist Liberal and welfarist Socialist agendas.
Referencing party literature and numerous interviews conducted with leading figures, Plaid Cymru An Ideological Analysis investigates the partys philosophical development since its establishment in 1925 and, using the ideological model created by the eminent political scientist Professor Michael Freeden, concludes that Plaid Cymru is primarily a socialist party.
Arvustused
valuable controversial this book deserves wider notice from those interested in political parties and ideological relations within them David S. Moon (Political Studies Review)
illuminating offers useful, brief overviews of some of the key intellectual and political traditions that have informed the partys thinking, from liberalism to socialism, from linguistic conservatism to environmentalism and feminism Daniel G. Williams (Studies on National Movements)
Sandrys highly informative navigation of his readers through the partys historical recourse to a miscellany of supplementary ideologies lends support to Freedens assessment that nationalism is a thin-centered ideology Peter C. Grosvenor (Nations and Nationalism)
a party needs a cohesive philosophical outlook, one that can guide it in constructing a political programme and making difficult choices between priorities as they arise [ for Plaid Cymru] that is easier said than done and Sandrys book tells you why John Osmond (Planet)
Introduction
1. Ideology and Nationalism
2. The Ideological Development of Early Plaid Cymru
3. Modern Plaid Cymru and the Ideology of Nationalism
4. Other Ideologies Associated with Modern Plaid Cymru
5. Concepts within Plaid Cymru's Ideology
6. Ideological Debates within Plaid Cymru
7. Conclusion: A New Ideological Framework
Bibliography
Index
Dr Alan Sandry is Senior Lecturer at the School of Management, Swansea University, and researches the evolving nature of political, cultural and social identities within Europe.
