Political Theory and the Human Predicament: An Introduction to Major Political Thinkers presents the work of important political theorists from Plato to Marx. The primary source material introduces students to the political and ethical questions theorists have tried to answer and shows how these questions have evolved over time.
Political thinkers are covered chronologically and the selected readings from their works are organized to allow readers to easily locate key passages for study and discussion. Each chapter opens with an informative introductory essay that acquaints readers with the theorist's life and times and their approach to the study of politics and the human condition. The book encourages careful and critical reading of the most significant and often controversial ideas—regarding justice, legitimate authority, law, rights, freedom, and the good life—examined in the works of classical and modern political theory.
The third edition features expanded selections from many of the third-party readings; these additions provide a wealth of new information and allow for deeper student understanding. Expanded readings include Plato's Republic, Machiavelli's The Prince, John Locke's Second Treatise of Government, and new excerpts in Chapter 4: Thomas Aquinas and Augustine. The text also includes a new reading, selections from The Nicomachean Ethics of Aristotle.
Political Theory and the Human Predicament is written for introductory political theory courses, political ethics courses, and more specialized courses in ancient and modern political thought.
"The book offers major texts in the field of political theory and, equally important, discussions on the context in which significant philosophies were developed."
Dr. Allan Cooper, North Carolina Central University
"An excellent resource for helping students understand the context and importance of the Western tradition of political theory."
Brian Lovato, California State University, Fullerton
"Great introduction to ancient political theory/thought."
Briana D. Hyman, North Carolina A&T State University
"The text provides an accessible introduction to key works of major political thinkers suitable for first year students."
Gordon A. Babst, Chapman University
"Political Theory and the Human Predicament presents a very accessible yet sound entry into the realm of political theory, one which is beneficial to not only students but the general public. Excellently edited and written."
Jermaine Young, Ph.D., Howard University
"This text covers two thousand years of important concepts and concerns of political theorists in a very inviting way, allowing students to engage and debate the ideas and application of the concepts."
JoAnne Myers, Marist College
"Instructors looking for a text that introduces students to major works in the Western philosophical canon need look no further than Political Theory and the Human Predicament. The book expertly gives students the resources they need to grapple on their own with the readings and the provocative ideas they raise."
Rebecca LeMoine, Florida Atlantic University
Ramona Grey is a professor in the Political Science Department at the University of Montana, where she teaches courses in classical, modern, contemporary political theory, Utopianism and its critics, American political thought, and civil rights and liberties. She has published articles on Socrates, John Stuart Mill, and teaching political theory in times of political polarization.
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