–A revised and expanded edition of this acclaimed introduction to political thought–
‘Reliable and fair… Clear, relaxed, jargon-free and often attractively witty.’ The Philosopher
‘A handbook of the history of political philosophy.’ CHOICE
‘The central advantages of this book are undoubtedly its lucidity, range and unorthodox approach. … This wide range is covered with surprising agility and clarity. The book offers an engaging account of political philosophy where great schools of thought are audaciously summarised in a paragraph or two.’ Times Higher Education Supplement
Guiding the reader through the key arguments of the classic figures of Western political philosophy, from Plato through to the modern era, this revised edition includes new essays on Aristotle’s ‘Politics’, Confucianism, Islamic social philosophy and Nazism, as well as additional material on ‘Roman Law’, Anarchism and ‘anti-capitalism’.
Cohen moves chronologically through the development of political philosophy. He presents key texts in their own terms, before offering short, precise analyses of their strengths, weaknesses and influence. The book finishes with a discussion of modern liberalism and conservatism.
Providing both a broad overview and precise summaries of key ideas, this is an invaluable guide for all students of political thought.
Table of Content
Note to the Second Edition
Introduction
Context: The Story of Human Society
1. Plato’s Vegetarian Republic
Key Text: Republic
2. Confucius’s Polite Society
Key Text: Analects
3. Aristotle and the Hierarchy of Nature
Key Text: Politics
4. Mohammed’s Message of Doom
Key Text: Koran
5. Machiavelli’s Psychopathic State
Key text: Discourses
6. Hobbes’ Wicked World
Key Text: Leviathan
7. Locke’s Feudal Freedom
Key Text: Essay Concerning the True, Original Extent and End of Civil Government
8. Rousseau’s Ode to Liberty
Key Text: Discourse on Inequality
9. The Founding Fathers’ Constitutional Recipe
Key Texts: The U.S. Constitution and Declaration of Independence
10. Mr Smith’s Excellent Inquiry into Money
Key Text: An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations
11. Marx’s Messianic Materialism
Key Text: The Communist Manifesto
12. Mill’s Optimistic Liberalism
Key text: The Principles of Political Economy]
13. Durkheim’s Strange Science
Key text: Social Rituals and Sacred Objects
14. The Philosophical Dance with Fascism
Key Text: The Doctrines and Institutions of Fascism, by Benito Mussolini
15. Hitler’s Doctrine of Hate
Key text: Mein Kampf
16. Mao’s Little Red Book
Key text: The Red Book
Epilogue: Karl Popper and the search for the End of History
References and Sources for Further Reading
Index
About the author
Martin Cohen is a philosopher, editor and reviewer. He is the author of Political Philosophy: From Plato to Mao (Pluto, 2008), 101 Philosophy Problems (Routledge, 1999) and editor of The Philosopher.
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