This abridged version of Political Action , which was published in 1979, has been rewritten for a wider, non-specialist audience. It presents the principal findings of the original work, uncovering the social and psychological basis of political action in Western democracies. It examines both conventional and unconventional forms of political activity, and claims that political ideology and knowledge are shaped by social locations, age, sex and education. In the process it covers areas such as value priorities, the political agenda, protest activities and apathy and inaction.