Politics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

Series CopyThe new Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects from politics to classics. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each book in the series provides trenchant, provocative, yet balanced discussions on the central issues of the field, gives a readable historical account of the subject, and demonstrates how each particular area of study has developed and shaped society. Eventually, the series will encompass every major academic discipline, offering readers an affordable, accessible, and complete reference library. Stimulating and lively, the Very Short Introductions are indispensable guides and essential reading for anyone interested in the development of these influential fields.Providing the general reader and the student with an introduction to the central issues of political science, A Very Short Introduction to Politics shows how political trends and maneuvers develop and how they help shape our society. Kenneth Minogue, with his lively and popular style, begins with a discussion of issues arising from a historical account of politics, and goes on to offer chapters dealing with the Ancient Greeks and the idea of citizenship; Roman law; medieval Christianity and individualism; freedom since Machiavelli and Hobbes; the challenge of ideologies; democracy, oligarchy, and bureaucracy; power and order in modern society; and politics in the West. Readable and pithy, this entertaining introduction is perfect for anyone looking for an accessible overview of the subject. In This Essay, Kenneth Minogue Discusses The Development Of Politics From The Ancient World To The Twentieth Century. He Prompts Us To Consider Why Political Systems Evolve, How Politics Offers Both Power And Order In Our Society, Whether Democracy Is Always A Good Thing, And What Future Politics May Have In The Twenty-first Century.--jacket. Why Despots Don't Belong In Politics. -- The Classical Greeks: How To Be A Citizen. -- The Romans: The Real Meaning Of Patriotism. -- Christianity And The Rise Of The Individual. -- Constructing The Modern State. -- How To Analyse A Modern Society. -- Relations Between States: How To Balance Power. -- The Experience Of Politics I: How To Be An Activist. -- The Experience Of Politics Ii: Parties And Doctrines. -- The Experience Of Politics Iii: Justice, Freedom, And Democracy. -- Studying Politics Scientifically. -- Ideology Challenges Politics. -- Can Politics Survive The Twenty-first Century? Kenneth Minogue. Originally Published: 1995. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 112-113) And Index. In A Very Short Introduction to Politics , Kenneth Minogue begins with a discussion of issues arising from a historical account of politics, and goes on to offer chapters dealing with the Ancient Greeks and the idea of citizenship; Roman law; medieval Christianity and individualism; freedom since Machiavelli and Hobbes; the challenge of ideologies; democracy, oligarchy, and bureaucracy; power and order in modern society; and politics in the West. About the Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam "In this provocative but balanced Very Short Introduction, Kenneth Minogue discusses the development of politics from the ancient world to the twentieth century. He prompts us to consider why political systems evolve, how politics offers both power and order in our society, whether democracy is always a good thing, and what future politics may have in the twenty-first century."--Cover flap In this provocative but balanced essay, Kenneth Minogue discusses the development of politics from the ancient world to the twentieth century. He prompts us to consider why political systems evolve, how politics offers both power and order in our society, whether democracy is always a good thing, and what future politics may have in the twenty-first century. In this introduction, Kenneth Minogue discusses the development of politics from the ancient world to the twentieth century. He considers the evolution of different systems, ideological aspects and the future of political science The story is told of how Harun AI Raschid, the caliph of Baghdad, would disguise himself as a beggar in order to discover what his subjects were thinking.