Originally published under the title History of Political Thought, this innovative text provides a broad-ranging thematic introduction to the Western tradition of political thought. It reviews the contributions of a wide range of theorists to the key themes of the ends of politics, the location, exercise and justification for challenging or obeying political authority. The second edition has been revised and updated throughout with more extended coverage of key thinkers and updated coverage of key contemporary debates.
Table of Contents
Introduction
PART I: THE ENDS OF POLITICS
Politics and Order
Politics and Virtue
Politics and Freedom
PART II: THE LOCATION OF POLITICAL AUTHORITY: WHO SHOULD RULE?
Rule by a Single Person
The Rule of the Few
The Rule of the Many
PART III: THE EXERCISE OF POLITICAL AUTHORITY
The Sanctions of 'Nature'
Mixed Government, Balanced Constitutions and the Separation of Powers
Absolute Government
The Rule of Law and Rule-Bound Orders
PART IV: CHALLENGING POLITICAL AUTHORITY
Resisting Unjust Rulers
Revolutionary Political Thought
Theories of Civil Disobedience and Non-Violent Resistance to Political Authority
