A wonderful introduction to history's most influential scribblers'- Steven PinkerWhat is truly at stake in politics Nothing less than how we should live,as individuals and as communities. This book goes beyond the surface headlines,the fake news and the hysteria to explore the timeless questions posed and answers offered by a diverse group of the 30 greatest political thinkers who have ever lived.Are we political,economic,or religious animals Should we live in small city-states,nations,or multinational empires What values should politics promoteShould wealth be owned privately or in common Do animals also have rights There is no idea too radical for this global assortment of thinkers,which includes: Confucius; Plato; Augustine; Machiavelli; Burke; Wollstonecraft; Marx; Nietzsche; Gandhi; Qutb; Arendt; Nussbaum,Naess and Rawls. In each brief chapter,the authors paint a vivid portrait of these often prescient,always compelling political thinkers,showing how their ideas grew out of their own dramatic lives and times and evolved beyond them. Now more than ever we need to be reminded that politics can be a noble,inspiring and civilising art. And if we want to understand today's political world,we need to understand the foundations of politics and its architects. This is the perfect guide to both.
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLCISBN: 9781472961785Number of pages: 320Weight: 356 gDimensions: 216 x 135 mm
MEDIA REVIEWSA wonderful introduction to history's most influential scribblers,filled with clear explanations and engaging detailThe authors have written a kind of Plutarch's Lives of the great political philosophers.Their lively and engaging style make even the most abstract ideas come alive.This is a book that can be read and enjoyed by all.An elegant meditation on political power...Garrard and Murphy take a self-critical view of citizenship,insisting that "you may not care about politics,but politics cares about you"This book offers an excellent preparation for those who seek to distinguish the best from the worst in political life
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