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Introduction

In 1900, unless you were an illiterate peasant, you were probably self-educated, valuing books and the written word. You bought a newspaper every day, and you might have belonged to a local library. You always had time for reading long philosophical books. To discuss ideas, you went to a café or a meeting hall in the evening. You believed in progress, both moral and material – and argued passionately about whether the means (say, violent revolution) justified the ends (say, a more egalitarian society).

In 2000, you were not only able to read, but you were computer literate, too. You didn't buy newspapers, unless it was for the crossword – you got your news from the television or radio. You never had the time to read like you used to at university, but you did own a copy of Naomi Klein's No Logo (a birthday present). Ideas about how consumer society sucks appealed to you, but you were too cool to join a political group.

The political struggles of the 20th century, and especially the conflicts that arose out of the Russian Revolution and the Cold War, were reflected in the ideas that people believed in, and for which many were even prepared to die.

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