A Short History of Western Political Thought

This brief narrative survey of political thought over the past two millennia explores key ideas that have shaped Western political traditions. Beginning with the Ancient Greeks' classical emphasis on politics as an independent sphere of activity, the book goes on to consider the medieval and early modern Christian views of politics and its central role in providing spiritual leadership. Concluding with a discussion of present-day political thought, W. M. Spellman explores the return to the ancient understanding of political life as a more autonomous sphere, and one that doesn't relate to anything beyond the physical world. Setting the work of major and lesser-known political philosophers within its historical context, the book offers a balanced and considered overview of the topic, taking into account the religious values, inherited ideas and social settings of the writers. Assuming no prior knowledge and written in a highly accessible style, A Short History of Western Political Thought is ideal for those seeking to develop an understanding of this fascinating and important subject. This Book Provides A Highly Accessible Narrative Survey Of Political Thought Over The Past Two Millenia. Exploring Many Key Ideas In The Western Tradition, It Begins With The Classic Political Thought Of The Ancient Greeks, It Moves Through The Medieval And Early Christian Views Of Politics, And Concludes By Exploring The Modern Re-interpretation Of Political Life--provided By Publisher. Machine Generated Contents Note: -- Introduction: Civil Society And Human Flourishing -- City States And Republics, C.400 Bce-400 -- Heavenly Mandates, 400-1500 -- The Emergence Of The Sovereign State, 1500-1700 -- From Subject To Citizen, 1700-1815 -- Ideology And Equality, 1815-1914 -- Breakdown And Uncertainty, 1914-2010 -- Conclusion -- Endnotes -- Index. W.m. Spellman. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Acknowledgments......Page 9 Introduction: Civil Society and Human Flourishing......Page 10 1 City-States and Republics c. 400 BCE–c. 400 CE......Page 17 2 Heavenly Mandates, 400–1500......Page 43 3 The Emergence of the Sovereign State, 1500–1700......Page 68 4 From Subject to Citizen, 1700–1815......Page 95 5 Ideology and Equality, 1815–1914......Page 120 6 Breakdown and Uncertainty, 1914–2010......Page 146 Conclusion: New Trials for Old Ideas......Page 172 Notes......Page 176 Further Reading......Page 190 Index......Page 192 "This book provides a highly accessible narrative survey of political thought over the past two millenia. Exploring many key ideas in the Western tradition, it begins with the classic political thought of the ancient Greeks, it moves through the medieval and early Christian views of politics, and concludes by exploring the modern re-interpretation of political life"-- Provided by publisher