Book Review: Participatory Ideology: From Exclusion to Involvement by Peter Beresford

As one might expect from Peter Beresford, this is an important book that explores the exclusionary nature of prevailing political ideologies and argues for participatory approaches. As the blurb states, it brings together theory, practice and the relationship between participation, political ideology and social welfare to offer a practical guide for change. I certainly recommend it. The preface highlights how Covid-19, Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements and renewed action against climate change have led to grassroots pressure for global political and social change. This is opposed by market-driven neoliberalism and right-wing populism which highlights the gulf between dominant narrowly based political ideologies and popular demands for social justice, environmentalism and human rights. The book goes on to examine the exclusionary nature of prevailing political ideologies at a time of increased interest in grassroots citizen participation, instead arguing for more participatory approaches in public policy and practice. The text is divided into three parts which respectively focus on ideology, participation and challenging dominant ideologies through participatory action. Part 1 has three chapters examining, for example, political ideology, ideology’s relationship with individuals and the (lack of) participation by people in shaping ideology. There is also an interesting discussion on ‘our ideological inheritance’ including nationalism, colonialism and social liberalism, together with last century’s fascism and communism. Part 2 has two chapters focusing on reconnecting ideology and participation with a key question being can ideology be liberatory without participation? In answering this, Book Reviews