Introduction to Political Theory

Introduction to Political Theory is a text for the 21st century. It shows students why an understanding of theory is crucial to an understanding of issues and events in a rapidly shifting global political landscape. Bringing together classic and contemporary political concepts and ideologies into one book, this new text introduces the major approaches to political issues that have shaped the modern world, and the ideas that form the currency of political debate. Introduction to Political Theory relates political ideas to political realities through effective use of examples and case studies making theory lively, contentious and relevant. This updated third edition comes with significant revisions which reflect the latest questions facing political theory, such as the French burqa controversy, ethnic nationalism and the value of research from sociobiology. Accompanying these debates is a wealth of new and thought-provoking case studies for discussion, including (consensual) sadomasochism, affirmative action and same-sex marriage. A new chapter on difference has also been added to complement those on feminism and multiculturalism. The revised glossary, revamped website for further reading and new streamlined layout make Introduction to Political Theory third edition the perfect accompaniment to undergraduate study.

Table of Contents:
Part 1 Classical Ideas What is Power? 1 The State 2 Freedom 3 Equality 4 Justice 5 Democracy 6 Citizenship 7 Punishment Part 2 Classical Ideologies What is Ideology? 8 Liberalism 9 Conservatism 10 Socialism 11 Anarchism 12 Nationalism 13 Fascism Part 3 Contemporary Ideologies What is a New Social Movement? 14 Feminism 15 Multiculturalism 16 Ecologism 17 Fundamentalism Part 4 Contemporary Ideas What do we Mean by a New Idea? 18 Human Rights 19 Civil Disobedience 20 Political Violence 21 Difference 22 Global Justice Conclusion Glossary Index

About the Author :
John Hoffman has taught in the Department of Politics, University of Leicester since 1970. He is currently Emeritus Professor of Political Theory, having retired at the end of September 2005. He has written widely on Marxism, feminism and Political Theory, with his most recent book being Citizenship beyond the State, published by Sage in 2004. He is currently working on John Gray and the problem of utopia. Paul Graham is Senior Lecturer in Politics and Director of Programmes at Buckingham University. He has written on German and Anglo-American Political thought, with published work on John Rawls (Rawls, Oneworld Publishers, 2007) and Karl Heinz Bohrer. He also has a developing interest in sociobiological (Darwinian) approaches to politics.

Review :
This is an outstandingly clear, accessible yet sophisticated introduction to political theory, primarily aimed at those new to the subject, but containing more than enough to engage and challenge even the most experienced politics undergraduate. The case studies - substantially updated since the 2nd edition - highlight excellently how political theory can be applied in practice. Dr Mike Gough, University of East Anglia, UK. Whether we know it or not, say Paul Graham and John Hoffman, we are all political theorists because our actions are guided by ideas. And they're right. The issue is not so much whether we should do political theory, but how to do it better - and this book is an excellent place to start. The third edition of this marvellous text has been fully updated with lively case studies, designed to bring the full range of classical and contemporary ideas and ideologies to life. Advanced high school students, and university students coming to political theory for the first time, will appreciate this thorough introduction to the conversation that is political theory - and will relish being made to feel that they are participants in it, and not just spectators. Professor Andrew Dobson, Keele University, UK.