In Search of a Political Philosophy is an analysis of the three democratic isms' - conservatism, liberalism and socialism - and of the distinct nature of the all-devouring ideology - Marxist communism. The author is concerned with the conscious and unconscious assumptions of the proponents and followers of each ideology, and those of their theoreticians and critics. The following questions are addressed: * By what norms are political ideologies characterized and which of them are given precedence? * How does each ideology view such issues as freedom and restraint, responsibility, equality, justice, power, authority, property, human nature and happiness? * What are the areas of ideological contiguity and those of mutual influence? * Where do the forces that split Western societies become visible? * What are the sources of ideological incomprehension in our society? While taking issue with the stances of some leading political theorists, this work is an original contribution to political philosophy in its own right. It provides a stimulating challenge to students in politics, government, political philosophy, ethics, political and social theory, the history of political thought, and the history of ideas.