Reconstructing the Classics
Political Theory from Plato to Marx
Edward Bryan Portis(Author)
Chatham House Publishers Inc.,U.S.
2nd Edition
Published on 1. August 1997
Book
Paperback/Softback
192 pages
978-1-56643-049-4 (ISBN)
Description
This work asserts the necessity of studying the works of seminal thinkers of the past in order to comprehend and articulate the fundamental theoretical assumptions that underlie all political behaviour. The author explains that what the classic thinkers offer to practicing political scientists and students alike are "conceptual options, alternatives to one another and to the unstated conventional wisdom of our cultural context", tools for the clarification of one's own thought and observations of contemporary phenomena. Portis provides a coherent framework for consideration of the political theories of nine classical political thinkers: Plato, Aristotle, St Augustine, Machiavelli, Hobbes, John Locke, Rousseau, John Stuart Hill, and Marx. After establishing the historical context for each subject's life and work, Portis examines the comprehensive conceptual paradigm that distinguishes his political thought. Each thinker's ideas are delineated according to a consistent set of fundamental questions, a pattern designed to facilitate comparison and contrast.
Human nature, social solidarity, public authority, political change and stability, and political motivation are the organizing concepts by which each philosopher's work may be related to that of others.
Human nature, social solidarity, public authority, political change and stability, and political motivation are the organizing concepts by which each philosopher's work may be related to that of others.
More details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Washington
United States
Publishing group
SAGE Publications Inc
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Illustrations
bibliography, index
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-56643-049-4 (9781566430494)
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Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Previous edition
Book
01/1994
Seven Bridges Press,U.S.
€34.87
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Content
Preface: first edition; second edition. Great books and political science; Plato and the politics of beauty; Aristotle and the politics of honour; St. Augustine and the politics of sin; St Thomas Aquinas and the politics of salvation; Machiavelli and the politics of glory; Hobbes and the politics of fear; Locke and the politics of rights; Rousseau and the politics of citizenship; Mill and the politics of character; Marx and the politics of history; political theory and politics.