The Political Long-Wave

The political and social movements of the left and right have seen their fortunes fluctuate, sometimes dramatically, over the last two centuries. At different times they have seen their influence rise, expand, peak and fall, only to recover at a later date. The Political Long-Wave sets out to explain these fluctuations. In doing so, it demonstrates that the fortunes of the left and right have experienced a regular and repeating pattern of political change that can only be fully understood by looking at a number of long-term factors. Each cycle endures for a period of approximately fifty years and can be explained through a combination of the economic, ideological and political. For those studying, teaching or active in politics and wanting to understand the often perplexing history of the left and right, this book offers new and original insights that make sense of this crucially important political phenomenon.