Great Political Thinkers

This book contains studies of four of the most influential political theorists in the Western tradition: Machiavelli, whose name is a byword for duplicity, Hobbes, the first great English political philosopher, Mill, liberal thinker and champion of individual liberty, and Marx, whose legacy has affected the lives of millions.

Celebrating its fiftieth year in publication, Great Political Thinkers is an indispensable text for all students of political philosophy. This text contains portions of great works in their original form to wet the appetite and to encourage discussion within classroom. By providing historical context and current scholarship, Alan Ebenstein builds upon the framework of influences that have shaped current political theory or political philosophy courses usually found in the political science department.

Fifty Major Political Thinkers introduces the lives and ideas of some of the most influential figures in Western political thought, from ancient Greece to the present day. The entries provide a fascinating introduction to the major figures and schools of thought that have shaped contemporary politics, including: Aristotle Simone de Beauvoir Michel Foucault Mohandas Gandhi Jurgen Habermas Machiavelli Karl Marx Thomas Paine Jean-Jacques Rousseau Mary Wollstonecraft. Fully cross-referenced and including a glossary of theoretical terms, this wide-ranging and accessible book is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the evolution and history of contemporary political thought.

Designed for undergraduate students, a historical survey of the most important political philosophers in the Western tradition. This volume provides an unequaled introduction to the thought of chief contributors to the Western tradition of political philosophy from classical Greek antiquity to the twentieth century. Written by specialists on the various philosophers, this third edition has been expanded significantly to include both new and revised essays.

Intended for use in courses on political philosophy or the history of political philosophy, On the History of Political Philosophy provides a critical account of Western political philosophy from classical Greece to modern times. Demonstrating the continued relevance of historical ideas to today's problems, the author traces ongoing discussions about justice, power, and human nature by examining the ideas of key political theorists.

Celebrating its fiftieth year in publication, GREAT POLITICAL THINKERS is an indispensable text for all students of political philosophy. This text contains portions of great works in their original form to whet the appetite and to encourage discussion within the classroom. By providing historical context and current scholarship, Alan Ebenstein builds upon the framework of influences that have shaped current political thoughts and theories.

Volume 1: "This volume presents a comprehensive survey of the major American political thinkers from the early seventeenth century to pre-Civil War days, when immigrants and settlers from disparate cultures united to form a new political community. The traditionalism of early New Englanders, the Revolution, the rebuilding of governmental authority, and the rise of mass democracy constituted the crucible in which America was shaped. Works by such theorists as Thomas Paine, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison captured the spirit of their age, the crises of their time, and the profound meaning of the American political experience." -- Back cover.

This carefully selected compilation of the significant writings of the great political philosophers, scientists, and thinkers has long been an invaluable guide to the general reader as well as to the serious student of history, political science, and government. Such essential forces as Revolution, Idealism, and Nationalism are examined in detail and expounded by their leading exponents. Professor Curtis has written running commentary that places the extracts and their authors in the sequence of modern history.