Thinking Politics: Perspectives In Ancient, Modern, and Postmodern Political Theory, 2nd Edition

The second edition of this intellectually and practically engaging book, includes a valuable new section on justice and updated material throughout. While integrating the insights of ancient, modern and postmodern political thought, Thiele offers a thorough exploration of the art and craft of political theory. Theory And Vision -- Setting Our Sights -- Parsimony, Accuracy, And Significance -- Scientific Theory -- The Interpretive Nature Of Political Theory -- Hermeneutics And Intersubjectivity -- The Normative Nature Of Theory -- Conceptual And Historical Analysis -- The Question Of Human Nature -- The Political Significance Of Human Nature -- The Genetic Leash -- Genes And Mores -- Biological And Cultural Reproduction -- Politics, Power, And The Public Good -- Power And Force -- The Nature Of Political Power -- The Public Realm And The Private Realm -- Modernity And Postmodernity -- Individualist Theories Of Politics -- Structuralist Theories Of Politics -- Poststructural And Postmodern Theories Of Politics -- Identity And The Exercise Of Power -- Social Power And Individual Freedom -- Theorizing At The Edge Of Modernity -- Identity And Difference -- Race, Religion, And Otherness -- The Other In America -- Limiting Power And Respecting Difference -- Gender And Identity -- The Historical Development Of Feminism -- Gender Justice -- Equality And Difference -- Feminism, Liberalism, And Patriarchy -- The Politics Of Class -- Alienation And Revolution -- Ideology -- History And Class Conflict -- Communism Versus Socialism -- Statecraft And Soulcraft -- Politics And Philosophy In Ancient Greece -- Reason In The Soul And In The State -- The Politics Of Unity And Plurality -- The Life Of Liberty -- Positive And Negative Liberty -- The Excesses And Deficiencies Of Freedom -- Mastery And Liberty -- The Life Of Reason -- Economic Reason. Leslie Paul Thiele. Includes Bibliographical References (p. [245]-261) And Index. Cover......Page 1 Table of Contents ......Page 8 Preface to the Second Edition......Page 10 Introduction......Page 12 1. Theory and Vision......Page 18 2. The Question of Human Nature......Page 43 3. Politics, Power, and the Public Good......Page 63 4. Modernity and Postmodernity......Page 82 5. Identity and Difference......Page 117 6. Statecraft and Soulcraft......Page 172 7. Ideology and Irony......Page 233 Conclusion......Page 257 Notes to Chapter 1......Page 262 Notes to Chapter 2......Page 263 Notes to Chapter 3......Page 264 Notes to Chapter 4......Page 265 Notes to Chapter 5......Page 267 Notes to Chapter 6......Page 271 Notes to Chapter 7......Page 277 Notes to the Conclusion......Page 278 Index......Page 280 About the Author......Page 288 "Thinking Politics" describes the art and craft of political theory while integrating insights from traditional and contemporary critical approaches. Skillfully the reader is lead through a nontechnical analysis of basic political questions using perspectives from ancient, modern, and postmodern thought, and through analysis of the perspectives themselves. The result is a highly engaging encounter that enriches one's understanding of the Western tradition of political theory With a new section on justice, this title integrates the insights of ancient, modern and postmodern political thought. It offers a thorough exploration of the art and craft of political theory.