Western Political Thought From Plato To Marx

Western Political Thought: From Plato to Marx is a lucid and comprehensive account of political thought that stretches from ancient Greece to the nineteenth century. Analysing political philosophies chronologically, this book offers valuable insights into the political structures of societies across the ages, and presents a wide perspective on the various social and political ideologies. Each of the 12 chapters has boxes with excerpts from the original works by the philosophers, a comprehensive reading list and thought provoking questions on the philosophies discussed in the book.

This lucidly written text, in its second edition, continues to provide a comprehensive study of the classical political tradition from Plato to Marx. The book elucidates the fascinating evolution of the history of political ideas, through the works of thirteen key political thinkers — which includes Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hegel and Marx. The text highlights the decline and revival of classical political theory and portrays the clash of universalism vs. localism in the classical tradition. It focuses on the recent interpretations of the classical texts, for instance, feasibility of the ideal State in Plato; civic humanism and republicanism in Machiavelli; the radicalism of Locke, and the contributions to the woman’s cause by John Stuart Mill. The text is intended for the undergraduate and postgraduate students of Political Science of various universities, and for all those who are appearing for the civil services examinations. NEW TO THIS EDITION : Inclusion of two important liberal thinkers, Mary Wollstonecraft, the founder of liberal feminism, and Immanuel Kant, a de-ontological liberal. Addition of an Appendix on John Rawls who is credited as a seminal thinker of contemporary times, having played a crucial role in the revival of normative political theory.

Western Political Thought: From Plato to Marx is a lucid and comprehensive account of political thought that stretches from ancient Greece to the nineteenth century. Analysing political philosophies chronologically, this book offers valuable insights into the political structures of societies across the ages, and presents a wide perspective on the various social and political ideologies. Each of the 12 chapters contains excerpts from the original works by the philosophers, comprehensive reading list, and thought provoking questions on the philosophies discussed.

Written simply and directly—but without sacrificing intellectual depth—this widely acclaimed text explores the preeminent theorists of Western political thought from the pre-Socratics to the contemporary era. The author provides an in-depth analysis of a limited number of major thinkers, which allows for a richly detailed examination of each philosopher in historical context. Western Political Thought, Second Edition, presents the fundamental terms, ideas, and dilemmas of Western political philosophy in a straightforward, easy-to-understand manner. It organizes the theorists historically, explains basic concepts in depth, and draws out and analyzes the implications of various political theories. Moreover, this cohesive volume employs an overarching theme, examining each thinker in terms of the changing relationships of ethics and politics in Western political philosophy.

I have tried my best to write this book as per the syllabus of B. A. II year Political Science students. In this book I have mentioned Western Political Thinkers, their ideas and analysis. For better understanding of the student, the language of book is simple and no unnecessary details have been added. According to the need of students the book includes all the important quotations of thinkers and also has objective questions with their answers. This book has been written to provide students with all the consolidated study material related to western thinkers according to the syllabus at one place in simple language.

The Significance Of Political Thought Cannot Be Overemphasized. The Task Of Understanding The Deeper Implications Of The Present Situation And The Future Planning Can Be Assisted By A Careful Study Of Political Thought Of The Ages. The Study Of Political Thought In The Historical Perspective Leads To Mature Thinking And Enables The Political Leaders To Solve Contemporary Problems In A Better Way.The Political Thought Of Modern World Is Based On Western Political Thought. It Is Always Preferred To Begin The Study Of Political Thought With The Western Thinkers, Better Say Greeks, Because Unlike Their Eastern Counterpart, Their Speculations Are Exclusively Contained In Independent Treatises And Do Not Form Part Of Literature Which Was Predominantly Religious And Ethical. Accordingly, The Present Volume Begins With Homer And Includes In Its Study The Prominent Thinkers Of The West Of All Ages Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hume, Burke To Name But A Few.Analytic In Presentation, The Present Book Is Concise And Easily Comprehensible. Since Its Matter Has Been Drawn From Authentic Originals And The Books Of Eminent Western Authors Have Been Referred To, The Book Aptly Caters With The Academic Needs Of Students Of Political Science. It Provides A Bibliography And Also A List Of Questions Set At Various University Examinations, Aiming At Facilitating The Preparation For Examination. While The Teachers Will Find This Book An Ideal Reference Book, The General Readers Will Find It Highly Informative.