Political Philosophy From Plato to Mao

by Cohen, Martin

• ISBN13: 9780745324715
• ISBN10: 0745324711
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2008-09-20
• Publisher: PLUTO PRESS (UK)

Summary

"The central advantages of this book are undoubtedly its lucidity, range and unorthodox approach to presenting key thinkers who have deeply influenced political philosophy. ... This wide range is covered with surprising agility and clarity. The book offers an engaging account of political philosophy where great schools of thought are audaciously summarized in a paragraph or two." ---Times Higher Education Supplement "Reliable and fair... Clear, relaxed, jargon-free and often attractively witty." ---The Philosopher "A handbook of the history of political philosophy." ---Choice Guiding the reader through the key arguments of the classic figures of Western political philosophy, from Plato through to the modern era, this revised edition includes new essays on Aristotle's "Politics", Confucianism, Islamic social philosophy, and Nazism as well as additional material on "Roman Law", Anarchism and "anti-capitalism". Cohen moves chronologically through the development of political philosophy presenting it as a series of "key texts", which (after setting in context) he allows to speak in their own terms before offering short, precise analyses of their strengths, weaknesses and influence. The book finishes with a discussion of modern liberalism and conservatism. Providing both a broad overview and precise summaries of key ideas, this guide will be invaluable for all students of political thought.

Author Biography

Martin Cohen is author of a number of popular books combining philosophy with politics and social science. 101 Philosophy Problems and 101 Ethical Dilemmas have both been translated into 15 languages and several editions. His most recent books include The Essentials of Philosophy and Ethics (2006) and No Holiday: 80 Places You Don't Want to Visit.

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Prologue: The Story of Human Society	p. 4
Plato's Vegetarian Republic: Key Text: Republic	p. 14
Confucius' Polite Society: Key Text: Analects	p. 32
Aristotle and the Hierarchy of Nature: Key Text: Politics	p. 47
Mohammed's Message of Doom: Key Text: The Koran	p. 69
Machiavelli's Psychopathic State: Key Text: Discourses	p. 91
Hobbes' Wicked World: Key Text: Leviathan	p. 105
Locke's Feudal Freedom: Key Text: Essay Concerning the True, Original Extent and End of Civil Government	p. 120
Rousseau's Ode to Liberty: Key Text: Discourse on Inequality	p. 136
The Founding Fathers' Constitutional Recipe: Key Texts: The US Constitution and Declaration of Independence	p. 154
Mr Smith's Excellent Inquiry into Money: Key Text: An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations	p. 174
Marx's Messianic Materialism: Key Text: The Communist Manifesto	p. 191
Mill's Optimistic Liberalism: Key Text: The Principles of Political Economy	p. 208
Durkheim's Strange Science: Key Text: Social Rituals and Sacred Objects	p. 222
The Philosophical Dance with Fascism: Key Text: The Doctrines and Institutions of Fascism, by Benito Mussolini	p. 239
Hitler's Doctrine of Hate: Key Text: Mein Kampf	p. 259
Mao's Little Red Book: Key Text: The Red Book	p. 285
Epilogue: The End of History?	p. 305
References and Sources for Further Reading	p. 310
Index	p. 318
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