文档介绍：This brief narrative survey of political thought over the past two millennia
explores key ideas that have shaped Western political traditions. Beginning
with the Ancient Greeks’ classical emphasis on politics as an independent
sphere of activity, the book goes on to consider the medieval and early
modern Christian view of politics and its central role in providing spiritual
leadership. Concluding with a discussion of present-day political thought,
W. M. Spellman explores the return to the ancient understanding of political
life as a more autonomous sphere, and one that doesn’t relate to anything
beyond the physical world.
Setting the work of major and lesser-known political philosophers within
its historical context, the book offers a balanced and considered overview
of the topic, taking into account the religious values, inherited ideas and
social settings of the writers. Assuming no prior knowledge and written
in a highly accessible style, A Short History of Western Political Thought is
ideal for those seeking to develop an understanding of this fascinating and
important subject.
W. M. Spellman is Professor of History at the University of North Carolina,
Asheville, USA. He is the author of A Concise History of the World since
1945; European Political Thought, 1600–1700 and John Locke, all published
by Palgrave Macmillan. He also co-authored The West: A Narrative History
(Prentice-Hall, USA).
Also by the author
JOHN LOCKE (1997)
EUROPEAN POLITICAL THOUGHT, 1600–1700 (1998)
A CONCISE HISTORY OF THE WORLD SINCE 1945 (2008)
A SHORT HISTORY OF
WESTERN POLITICAL
THOUGHT
W. M. Spellman
© W. M. Spellman 2011
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