A Textual Introduction To Social and Political Theory

A Textual Introduction To Social and Political Theory PDF

Author: Richard Paul Bellamy

Publisher: Manchester University Press

Published: 1996-05-15

Total Pages: 356

ISBN-13: 9780719046391

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This book offers a stimulating new approach to studying social and political theory. It combines specially selected extracts from the political classics with original and insightful essays offering a commentary upon them. The reader is drawn into a dialogue with the Western political tradition’s principal thinkers, whose ideas provide a common currency in which to debate the problems facing modern societies. Each of the twelve chapters combines extracts from two (or in one case three) political philosophers on a key political concept with a commentary essay. Each chapter does more than just introduce the reader to the classics; it also explains, via the commentary essay, the key concepts of political debate, and the historical contexts which led the thinkers to their different understandings of the nature of society.

American Social and Political Thought

American Social and Political Thought PDF

Author: Andreas Hess

Publisher: NYU Press

Published: 2003-04

Total Pages: 504

ISBN-13: 9780814736579

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This concise, comprehensive primer on modern American social and political thought is the ideal introduction to the rich intellectual tradition of the United Sates. Andreas Hess helps the reader to understand of American culture and politics through careful exploration of key and theorists. In the first half of the book he focuses on the core traditions of American social and political thought American exceptionalism, Calvinist Protestantism, republicanism, liberalism and 20th century pragmatism. The second half of the book applies these traditions to a broad range of 20th century conditions and issues power and democracy, justice and injustice, multiculturalism and pluralism, civil society, social theory and the role of the intellectual. The works of some of the most influential figures in the field, such as De Tocqueville, Lipset, Arendt, Hartz, Pocock, Dewey, Moore, Rawls, Walzer, Rorty and Alexander, are drawn upon to illustrate the theories and issues being discussed. Accessibly written and jargon free, this treatment will be useful for students and scholars alike.

Contemporary Social and Political Theory

Contemporary Social and Political Theory PDF

Author: Fidelma Ashe

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 230

ISBN-13:

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"...the book is excellent and should do really well. It is well written and comprehensive, and it meets the needs of sociologists." John Scott, University of Essex * What have been the major innovations in contemporary social and political thought in the twentieth century? * How have these ideas challenged the canon? * What are the implications of these new ideas for our understanding of the key theoretical concepts? This new and accessible introduction to contemporary social and political theory examines the impact of new ideas such as feminist theory, poststructuralism, hermeneutics and critical theory. The innovations brought by these currents to the intellectual traditions of Europe and America are outlined and assessed. Designed for the newcomer to theory, no previous knowledge is assumed and a student-friendly approach is adopted throughout. Rather than focus on individual thinkers, the authors take a 'conceptual' approach by examining contemporary theories through themes such as 'critique', 'rationality', 'power', 'the subject', 'the body' and 'culture'. Each chapter considers the evolution of a concept and examines the major debates and transformations that have taken place in that area. The needs of the undergraduate are kept in mind at all times and, in addition to an extensive bibliography, the book contains a useful glossary of key terms and concepts.

An Introduction to Modern Social and Political Thought

An Introduction to Modern Social and Political Thought PDF

Author: Andrew Gamble

Publisher: Palgrave

Published: 1981

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 9780333270295

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This book is a concise guide to the main doctrines and trends in Western social and political thought since the French Revolution. Clearly and simply written, the book includes brief biographical details of major individual thinkers as well as an annotated bibliography which gives guidance to further reading.

Social and Political Philosophy

Social and Political Philosophy PDF

Author: John Christman

Publisher: Routledge

Published: 2002-09-11

Total Pages: 260

ISBN-13: 1134602383

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This accessible and user-friendly text will prove invaluable to any student coming to social and political philosophy for the first time. It provides a broad survey of fundamental social and political questions in modern society, as well as clear, accessible discussions of the philosophical issues central to political thought. Topics covered include: the foundations of political authority, the nature and grounds of economic justice, the limits of tolerance, considerations of community, race, gender, and culture in questions of justice, and radical critiques of current political theories.

Contemporary Social and Political Theory

Contemporary Social and Political Theory PDF

Author: Fidelma Ashe

Publisher:

Published: 1998

Total Pages: 232

ISBN-13:

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This new and accessible introduction to contemporary social and political theory examines the impact of new ideas such as feminist theory, poststructuralism, hermeneutics and critical theory. The innovations brought by these currents to the intellectual traditions of Europe and America are outlined and assessed. Designed for the newcomer to theory, no previous knowledge is assumed and a student-friendly approach is adopted throughout.

Introduction to Political Thought

Introduction to Political Thought PDF

Author: Peri Roberts

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Published: 2012-02-28

Total Pages: 352

ISBN-13: 0748664823

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This textbook, now in itsa second edition, is designed to equip students with a basic 'conceptual toolkit' for the study of political thought: (i) a basic political vocabulary, (ii) a conceptual vocabulary and (iii) an historical vocabulary.

An Introduction to Political Thought

An Introduction to Political Thought PDF

Author: Peri Roberts

Publisher: NYU Press

Published: 2004-12

Total Pages: 315

ISBN-13: 0814775705

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An Introduction to Political Thought emphasizes a dual approach to political theory by providing a chronological overview of both major figures and texts as well as an understanding of the development of key concepts and themes. In this way the authors provide a basic sense of the history and development of political thought and a critical grasp of the theoretical and philosophical issues at the heart of politics. Beginning with the idea that laws and constitutions are only beneficial insofar as they give effective expression to our moral and political beliefs, the authors argue that moral and political ideas are the foundations of politics. Political philosophers covered in depth include: Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, Bentham, Rawls, and Burke. Key concepts such as the moral order, liberty, human nature, freedom, the social contract, distributive justice, liberalism, socialism, feminism, human rights, and multiculturalism are also all covered. In exploring these issues the authors offer a critical guide through key arguments in the history of political thought and contemporary political theory.

An Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy

An Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy PDF

Author: Richard Schmitt

Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers

Published: 2009-06-16

Total Pages: 319

ISBN-13: 0742565262

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Social and political philosophy, unlike other fields and disciplines, involves conflict, disagreement, deliberation, and action. This text takes a new approach and understands philosophy not so much as a story of great thinkers or as a collection of philosophical positions but as a series of debates and disagreements in which students must participate. Adopting what may be called an 'active learning' method, Richard Schmitt, who has long taught social and political philosophy in the Ivy Leagues as well at state colleges, presents a range of problems and debates which engage the core question of freedom. Too often, students are bewildered, and then bored, by highly abstract philosophical questions because they are unable to connect those abstract issues to their own life experiences. This text immediately connects issues and experiences, and provides integrated, on-going questions to spark dialogue, whether in class settings or in the reader's own mind, and to help students form strong arguments with good reasons for their positions. In the course of examining different current controversies, the book develops theories of democracy, equality, the state, property, autonomy, and the role of morality in politics, all of which are standard for courses in social and political philosophy.

An Introduction to Modern Political Theory

An Introduction to Modern Political Theory PDF

Author: Norman P. Barry

Publisher: Springer

Published: 1989-09-15

Total Pages: 326

ISBN-13: 1349202010

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This student textbook introduces the concept of political theory from various viewpoints, such as justice and the law, government and the state, and equality and human rights. It analyzes the concepts of power, liberty and a series of political principles.