In our society there is a constant struggle between powerful, institutionalized hierarchies and people who try to resist them. Whether this resistance succeeds (either partially or completely) or fails, the struggle causes large-scale social change, including changes in morality and institutions and in how hierarchy and the struggle itself are conceived. In this book, Allen Buchanan analyzes the complex connections between the struggle for liberation from domination, ideology, and changes in morality and institutions, and develops a conflict theory of social change, which is systematically laid out in five clear components with a chapter dedicated to each. He examines the co-evolutionary and co-dependent nature of the struggle between hierarchs and resisters, and the appeals to morality which are routinely made by both sides. His book will be of interest to a broad readership of students and scholars in philosophy, history, political science, economics, sociology, and law.

‘In this fascinating book, Allen Buchanan presents an empirically rich and normatively powerful account of how struggles against structures as well as justifications of domination lead to social and moral progress. In particular, he develops original and comprehensive accounts of social evolution, of ideology and of revolution – a true masterpiece by one of the foremost political philosophers of our time.'

Rainer Forst - Goethe University Frankfurt/Main

‘In his incisive analysis of the perennial struggles against all sorts of domination, Buchanan sheds light on the technologies of hierarchy that determine the social order, and offers us a compelling account of how institutions might be designed to work more effectively against strategies of domination.'

‘Ideology and Revolution is a powerfully argued and thought-provoking book. Allen Buchanan argues effectively that ‘the perpetual struggle between hierarchs and resisters' opens up epistemic space for moral progress and institutional change. He leads us to think more deeply about the positive role that ideology plays in real-world struggles against injustice.'

Robert Keohane - Princeton University