Reflections on Political Theory - A Voice of Reason From the Past

Zusatztext This is a book that the contemporary English-speaking world needs very much.' - Gordon Schochet, Professor of Political Science, Rutgers University '...a pleasant -as well as informative-read' - Choice Informationen zum Autor NEAL WOOD, Professor Emeritus and Senior Scholar since 1988. His publications include Cicero's Social and Political Thought, The Foundations of Political Economy, John Locke and Agrarian Capitalism and The Politics of Locke's Philosophy. Klappentext In this thought-provoking study, Neal Wood challenges the conception of political theory as a lofty discipline remote from the world of real politics. Drawing on the examples of thinkers from Plato to those of the nineteenth century, he attempts to define political theory by examining the nature of the state and politics, by identifying the major characteristics that their theories share and by analyzing the conditions that have favoured their creation. Wood critically explores the two principle approaches to studying the work of past theorists - the philosophical and historical - and evaluates the relevance of Marxism. The various theories are not treated as blueprints but collectively as a voice of reason from the past, which can inspire and guide present and future theorizing. Zusammenfassung In this thought-provoking study, Neal Wood challenges the conception of political theory as a lofty discipline remote from the world of real politics. Inhaltsverzeichnis Preface Questions and Problems PART I: DEFINING POLITICAL THEORY State and Politics Character of Political Theory Conditions Favouring Theory PART II: STUDYING POLITICAL THEORY Philosophical Mode of Analysis Historical Mode of Analysis Marxism and the Historical Mode of Analysis Afterword: Toward the Future Notes Index

Product details

• Authors: N Wood, N. Wood
• Publisher: Palgrave UK
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 14.01.2014
• EAN: 9781349428786
• ISBN: 978-1-349-42878-6
• No. of pages: 188
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History; Non-fiction book > Philosophy, religion > Philosophy: general, reference works; Social sciences, law, business > Political science > Political theories and the history of ideas; B, History, Political Science, Political Philosophy, Political Theory, social and political philosophy, History of Philosophy, Historiography, Political History, History: specific events and topics, World Politics, Political science and theory, Philosophical traditions and schools of thought, Palgrave Political & Intern. Studies Collection, History, general, Political science—Philosophy, Philosophy—History, Marx;philosophy;Plato;political theory;politics;work