The Nature of Political Theory

The Nature of Political Theory is a controversial book which challenges the established nostrums of contemporary political theory. Its major contributions to current scholarship are threefold. It offers, first, a comprehensive, synoptic, and comparative analysis of the major conceptions of political theory, predominantly during the twentieth century. This analysis incorporates systematic critiques of both Anglo-American and continental contributions. The 'nature' of theory is seen as intrinsically pluralistic and internally divided. Secondly, the idea of foundationalism is employed in the book to bring some coherence to this internally complex and fragmented practice. The book consequently focuses on the various foundational concerns embedded within conceptions of political theory. The third major contribution of the book is to argue for an adjustment in the way we think about the discipline. Political theory is reconceived as a rhetorically-based, indeterminate subject, which should be more attuned to practice and history. Overall, the book makes a case for a more ecumenical and tolerant demeanor, suggesting that there are different, but still quite legitimate, answers to the question, 'what is political theory?'. Acceptance of this view would involve a supplementation of the standard substantive approaches to contemporary political theory. Students of politics should minimally be made aware of the deeply contested character of the discipline during the twentieth century. The book therefore challenges the way we think about political theory as a subject. The book can consequently be read on two levels. First, there are systematic concise expositions of distinct movements and arguments which have characterized the various phases of political theory during the twentieth century. Secondly, there is a deeper argument, which moves through the whole text, focusing on the theme of foundationalism. This latter theme embodies the contention that we should rethink the manner in which we configure political theory. As such, the book offers a unique and idiosyncratic perspective on our current understanding of political theory. Annotation In his controversial new book, Andrew Vincent sets out to analyse and challenge the established nostrums of contemporary political theory. The nature of Political Theory offers three major contributions to current scholarship. It offers, first, a comprehensive, synoptic, and comparativeanalysis of the major conceptions of political theory, predominantly during the twentieth century. This analysis incorporates systematic critiques of both Anglo-American and continental contributions. The 'nature' of theory is seen as intrinsically pluralistic and internally divided. Secondly, theidea of foundationalism is employed in the book to bring some coherence to this internally complex and fragmented practice. The book consequently focuses on the various foundational concerns embedded within conceptions of political theory. Thirdly, the book argues for an adjustment to the way wethink about the discipline. Political theory is reconceived as a theoretically-based, indeterminate subject, which should be more attuned to practice and history. Andrew Vincent makes a case for a more ecumenical and tolerant approach to the discipline, suggesting that there are different, butequally legitimate, answers to the question, 'what is political theory?'. Acceptance of this view would involve a supplementation of the standard substantive approaches to contemporary political theory. The Nature of Political Theory offers a unique and idiosyncratic perspective on our current understanding of political theory, making it an indispensable resource for all scholars and students of the discipline In his controversial new book, Andrew Vincent sets out to analyse and challenge the established nostrums of contemporary political theory. The nature of Political Theory offers three major contributions to current scholarship. It offers, first, a comprehensive, synoptic, and comparative analysis of the major conceptions of political theory, predominantly during the twentieth century. This analysis incorporates systematic critiques of both Anglo-American and continental contributions. The 'nature' of theory is seen as intrinsically pluralistic and internally divided. Secondly, the idea of foundationalism is employed in the book to bring some coherence to this internally complex and fragmented practice. The book consequently focuses on the various foundational concerns embedded within conceptions of political theory. Thirdly, the book argues for an adjustment to the way we think about the discipline. Political theory is reconceived as a theoretically-based, indeterminate subject, which should be more attuned to practice and history.; Andrew Vincent makes a case for a more ecumenical and tolerant approach to the discipline, suggesting that there are different, but equally legitimate, answers to the question, 'what is political theory?'. Acceptance of this view would involve a supplementation of the standard substantive approaches to contemporary political theory. The Nature of Political Theory offers a unique and idiosyncratic perspective on our current understanding of political theory, making it an indispensable resource for all scholars and students of the discipline ## Abstract This is a controversial book that challenges established views of contemporary political theory. It offers a synoptic, critical, and comparative analysis of the widely different accounts of how the discipline developed during the twentieth century. Its ‘nature’ is seen as intrinsically pluralistic and internally divided. The discussion utilizes the idea of foundationalism to bring coherence to the complex practices associated with theory during the twentieth century. Overall, the book aims to dispute current monistic trends in the way the discipline is understood. It will be an immensely useful resource for students of politics, as well as in providing critical perspectives on the future of the subject. 1. Eclectic Subject -- 2. We Have A Firm Foundation -- 3. Foundations Shaken But Not Stirred -- 4. Bleached Foundations -- 5. Shoring Up Foundations -- 6. New Conventions For Old -- 7. Segmented Foundations And Pluralism -- 8. Standing Problems -- 9. Dialogic Foundations -- 10. Circular Foundations. Andrew Vincent. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [327]-344) And Index. Andrew Vincent here offers a comprehensive, synoptic, and comparative analysis of the major conceptions of political theory throughout the twentieth century. It challenges established views of contemporary political theory and provides critical perspectives on the future of the subject