The Political Classics: v. 2 - Softcover

Forsyth, Murray

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0198780265 ISBN 13: 9780198780267

Publisher: Oxford University Press, 1993

Synopsis

This study of classic texts is designed to enable students of political ideas gain a full appreciation of the great works which form the foundation of the subject. It spans a critical period - from the turbulent era of the American and French Revolutions through to the calmer waters of the 19th century. Seven classic texts have been chosen for analysis: Hamilton's "The Federalist", Sieyes' "What is the Third Estate?", Burke's "Reflections on the Revolution in France", Hegel's "The Philosophy of Right", de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America", Marx and Engels' "Communist Manifesto" and Mill's "On Liberty". Together they illustrate and express the main themes of the period. The most prominent of these is the growing distinction between state and society and the problems that this brings in its train. Other themes embrace the interplay of revolution and reaction, the growth of representative government and the challenge posed by democracy. This volume follows "The Political Classics: Plato to Rousseau".

About this title

Review

"The single work approach has the great advantage of making difficult material comprehensible, even to the beginning reader. The individual chapters are readable, informative, and up to date. They provide excellent, brief introductions to the works, which can be recommended for all readers except experts in the field. Useful annotated bibliographies are also included. Highly recommended."--Choice

From the Back Cover

This book has been designed to enable all students of political ideas to gain a fuller appreciation of the great works which form the foundation of the subject. It spans a critical period: from the turbulent era of the American and French Revolutions through to the calmer waters of the nineteenth century. Seven classic texts have been chosen for analysis: Hamilton's The Federalist, Sieyes' What is the Third Estate?, Burke's Reflections on the Revolution in France, Hegel's The Philosophy of Right, de Tocqueville's Democracy in America, Marx and Engels' Communist Manifesto, and Mill's On Liberty. Together they illustrate and express the main themes of the period. The most prominent of these is the growing distinction between the state and society and the problems that this brings in its train. Other themes embrace the interplay of revolution and reaction, the growth of representative government, and the challenge posed by democracy. The clear analysis and explanation contained in each essay will enable the reader to return to the original texts with a new understanding and insight.

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Publication date: 1993
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0198780265
• ISBN 13: 9780198780267
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 255