Introducing Political Philosophy

Introducing Graphic Guides

by Dave Robinson, Judy Groves, Richard Appignanesi (Editor)

Introducing Political Philosophy explains the central concepts of this intriguing branch of philosophy. It also describes and evaluates the key ideas of all the major political theorists, from Plato to Foucault, who have tried to think systematically about human beings, societies, and the purpose of governments.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, Nonfiction, History, Political Science, Comics, Graphic Novels

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy divertido. Para Principiantes hace generalmente libros muy entretenidos. Éste de Robinson agrega facilidades. Hay conceptos horribles de la política que se entienden sin dificultad entre textos breves, viñetas y dibujos. Por supuesto que no tiene la precisión de libros serios de filosofía política, pero me pareció correcto en relación con algunos autores que he podido leer, aunque sin mucho sistema. Lo mejor es que no pierde nunca la conciencia de arbitrariedad que tiene toda la filosofía política. Es algo terrible en sus consecuencias, pero en el fondo no deja de ser una diversión filosófica, un entretenimiento intelectual. Todo se reconduce a la ideología, que tiene un núcleo duro de preferencias totalmente arbitrarias y un envoltorio de supuesta racionalidad previa. Como ocurre con otras ramas de la filosofía, se trata de hacer preguntas en lugar de dar respuestas fundamentadas. En los peores casos, sólo se trata de un aparato de propaganda, de justificaciones post hoc, de una supuesta legitimación que en realidad es un fraude grotesco. La política, eso indefinible que nos configura, nos vuelve partículas inasibles que chocan en una corriente turbulenta e impredecible. Es interesante que el libro termine con una invitación a cierto anarquismo alegre e inofensivo.

[Abdul Raheem · Rating 3 out of 5]

not bad. I think of myself a little bit higher than a beginner in political philosophy, the book oversimplifies a lot of concepts, but if you are a beginner and have no knowledge of the subject it's an "okay" book to get an overview.

[Erfan Keyhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

بار معرفتی آن چنانی نداره ، ولی یک سری کلیات را در قالب کتاب کمیک به خواننده یاد میده

[Dave · Rating 1 out of 5]

Abortion.

Starts well, with descriptions of the city-states of Athens and Sparta, continues with brief but concise descriptions of different philosophies/philosophers. Then we get to Marx, and LOOKOUT!

Once collectivist (socialist/communist) ideology enters the picture, the author clearly takes a side. This quote is not preceded by "Marx believed". These are the author's words:

"Capitalism was profoundly unjust because the means of production was owned by a wealthy few. A large proportion of the population was now factory workers, treated like machines..."

Boo hoo. The fact that, in industrialized society, these "machines" enjoy a standard of living only dreamed of by 90% of the world apparently isn't worth mentioning.

This book went from pretty good to trash bin in a span of about 10 pages. Here is the passage that did me in, regarding classical liberalism:

"Classical liberalism happily accepts that society is a marketplace. The economist Adam Smith (1723-90) was the first to recognize what this means - a collection of private individuals motivated by self-interest make, buy and sell goods, which, miraculously, then has the net effect of making society as a whole more prosperous.

It is therefore unwise for the State to interfere with this magical process, and pointless, or even counterproductive, to try to make individuals more philanthropic or co-operative."

Happily. Miraculously. Magical.

Fuck you.

And by the way, exactly how shall the state MAKE individuals more philanthropic?

Fuck this author.

[José Oroño · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can tell the author is a marxist, but nevertheless, this little book right here is a quick read and a gentle introduction to political philosophy. It's even got a superb 'further reading' list at the end, and I'm a bit of a sucker for that kind of thing.

[Obeida Takriti]

جميل كيف ينقلك هذا الكتاب لعالم آخر..
فينما أنت ترى الأحداث..
أنت تقرأ الفلسفة التي سبقتها أو لحقتها في عصور ماضية..
وكيف كانت تطور الفلسفة والآراء حول السياسة وكيف كان تطبيقها..

كما يريك الكتاب مدى الجهل عند الناس..
خاصة على الفيسبوك..
بكمية الأفكار الكبيرة للفلسفة السياسية..
فيكتفي الناس باجترار ما تعلموه بطرق مختلفة بدون إبداع نظام جديد يستفيد مما سبقه..

خاصة في العالم العربي..
ما زال الكثير لا يفكر أصلاً بدور الدولة وحدوده.. والحرية التي تحمل معاني كثيرة في القاموس السياسي الفلسفي..
مع أني ما بحب الاستناد كثيراً لأي أفكار مسبقة قبل التفكير كالعنصر الأول..
لكنه بالطبع أفضل من أن نبدأ من الصفر..
تاريخ عظيم مليء بأفكار رائعة..

من ناحية الطريقة..
ظننت أنها ستكون أفضل..
لم تكن بالمستوى المطلوب..
كتب طارق السويدان أفضل من هذه الناحية..
ولكن طبعاً علينا أن نقارن بمتى نشر الكتاب..

ليس بالكتاب الممتع إلا لمن يحب هذه الأمور..
معلومات قيمة ومختصرة لأغلب المفكرين..
يعني يختصر لمن يريدون البدء بفهم هذه الأمور والتعمق فيما يريد..

والكتاب وطريقته فيها عشرات الأنواع الأخرى..
وكلها مقدمات جميلة مع رسوم لهذه الأمور..
ومنها أنواع أخرى تطبيقية
وهي رخيصة الثمن أيضاً مقارنة بالكتب الكبيرة..
ويسع في أي مكان..
فابحثوا عن ما يهمكم..
هذا هو الموقع:
http://www.introducingbooks.com/book/...

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my best friends just received his doctorate in Political Philosophy, and though we'd talked a little here and there over the past few years about what he was studying, I still only had the most basic understanding of the field. When I saw this on the shelf, I reckoned it would be a good start--and it had tons of illustrations to keep it zazzy!

While the book did indeed give me a much broader understanding of political philosophy, and a primer on many of its major players, there are a couple of quibbles: 1) that the language Robinson used sometimes lapsed into "inside academe" language, which is a little clunky for a basic introduction, and 2) the illustrations were pretty decent, but sometimes superfluous, making them feel forced into the text rather than helping to support it. I don't think it would be a bad idea to have a full page of just text now and then, rather than jamming in some illustration that doesn't really add anything to the mix.

But overall, as I said, it's a good intro to the major figures and basic concepts behind political philosophy, so if you're curious about the topic, this is a good place to start.

[Kin · Rating 3 out of 5]

อ่านปูพื้นก็สนุกดี แต่ไม่ค่อยชอบวิธีการวางเนื้อหามันเท่าไหร่ โดยเฉพาะการเอา postmodern, environmentalism และ feminism มายัดไว้อย่างละหน้าในตอนท้ายๆ นี่ too traditional เหลือกัน

[The Adaptable Educator · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: Introducing Political Philosophy: A Graphic Guide
Authors: Dave Robinson, Illustrated by Judy Groves
Genre: Non-fiction, Philosophy, Political Science, Graphic Guide
Publication Year: 2012

Book Overview:

"Introducing Political Philosophy: A Graphic Guide" by Dave Robinson, with illustrations by Judy Groves, is an engaging and accessible introduction to the fundamental concepts and thinkers in political philosophy. The book is part of the "Introducing" series, known for using the graphic novel format to elucidate complex subjects. This particular volume adeptly combines text and illustrations to make the dense and often abstruse ideas of political philosophy understandable and engaging for a broad audience.

Content Summary:

The book covers a wide range of topics within political philosophy, spanning from ancient to contemporary thought. It begins with the early political theories of Plato and Aristotle, examining their ideas on justice, the role of the state, and the nature of political power. The narrative then moves through the contributions of key thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Karl Marx, and John Stuart Mill.

Robinson not only presents the historical context in which these philosophers wrote but also explains their key arguments and the lasting impact of their ideas on modern political thought. For instance, Hobbes' notion of the social contract and the justification of political authority is contrasted with Locke's views on natural rights and government by consent. Rousseau's concept of the general will is explored alongside Marx's critique of capitalism and his vision for a classless society.

The guide also delves into 20th-century political philosophy, including the works of John Rawls, who is known for his theory of justice as fairness, and the critiques posed by libertarian and communitarian philosophers. The book touches on the practical applications of these theories, considering their relevance to contemporary issues such as democracy, freedom, equality, and justice.

Illustrations:

Judy Groves' illustrations are integral to the book's accessibility and appeal. The visual elements help to break down complex ideas into digestible segments, providing a visual shorthand that complements and clarifies the text. The illustrations are not merely decorative but serve as an essential tool for understanding, often using humor and metaphor to make abstract concepts more concrete.

Critical Analysis:

"Introducing Political Philosophy: A Graphic Guide" is commendable for its clarity and conciseness. Dave Robinson's writing is both informative and engaging, making the subject matter approachable without sacrificing intellectual rigor. The book's structure, which moves chronologically through the history of political thought, allows readers to see the development of ideas and how they influence each other.

One of the book's strengths is its ability to link historical philosophical ideas to modern political issues, demonstrating the enduring relevance of political philosophy. The guide encourages readers to think critically about their own political beliefs and the philosophical foundations that underpin them.

However, the book's brevity can also be a limitation. While it provides a broad overview, it cannot delve deeply into the intricacies of each philosopher's work. Readers seeking a more comprehensive understanding might need to supplement this guide with more detailed texts.

Conclusion:

"Introducing Political Philosophy: A Graphic Guide" is an excellent starting point for anyone new to the field of political philosophy. Its combination of clear, concise writing and engaging illustrations makes it an ideal introduction for students and general readers alike. By presenting complex ideas in an accessible format, Robinson and Groves succeed in making political philosophy both interesting and relevant, inviting readers to explore the rich landscape of political thought further.

Recommendation:

I highly recommend this book to those who are interested in understanding the fundamental concepts of political philosophy without getting bogged down by dense academic prose. It is particularly useful for visual learners and those who appreciate a more interactive approach to studying philosophy. Whether you are a student, a casual reader, or someone with a burgeoning interest in political theory, "Introducing Political Philosophy: A Graphic Guide" offers a valuable and enjoyable reading experience.

[Bernie Gourley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers a concise overview of the philosophy of governance and political affairs. After a few pages that describe the domain of political philosophy and the questions that guide it, the book takes a chronological approach to exploring the shifting landscape of political philosophy from Ancient Greece through the Postmodernist schools of thought. Along the way, it presents the ideas that have undergirded a range of forms of governance from anarchy to authoritarianism.

Political philosophy hinges on a number of key questions, such as: Is man fundamentally good or evil? [the Hobbes – Locke debate] What rights do individuals have? What makes a government legitimate? There is widespread agreement that societies need some form of governance to avoid devolving into Mad Maxian wastelands. However, any power that a leader or government has to govern inherently restricts the freedom of other entities (i.e. individuals, businesses, organizations, etc.) Attempts to think through how this dilemma can best be managed have resulted in a huge and longstanding body of philosophical thinking.

Furthermore, there is no indication that these questions will resolve themselves in a consensus agreement about what kind of governance (or lack thereof,) is best. While democracy, rule of law, protection of minority rights, and a strict limitation of the State’s monopoly on use of force have gained widespread following across an increasing number of nations, those ideas haven’t ended the debate altogether.

I found this to be a fine overview of the subject. As with other books in the series, it uses short sections and cartoon graphics to make the material readily digestible. It’s highly readable and well-organized.

[Andrew Noselli · Rating 3 out of 5]

To my surprise I found that Aquinas is referenced again in this book -- a further synchronicity -- this time to substantiate the still nascent steps prior to the formation of Hobbes' notion of the state of nature and, eventually, leading to Locke's employment of the idea of civil contracts to suggest that governments ought to have limited powers.  Additional synchronicities arose when Rawls and Popper, whose works I have on my stack of books classified as "upcoming reading", were cited directly by the author.

I suggested to you that reading this book would allow me to talk politics with you more fluently but, in fact, I doubt this primer can truly do the job.  At least this work supplies me with questions with which to ply your creative intelligence.  You are going to receive the Introducing the Universe book in 3 days.  Now, if you could just memorize all of these books in the "Introducing..." series you would truly be unsurpassed, in my opinion.

I plan to read more about Evolutionary Psychology and, perhaps with continued study and re-perusal of the previous books I have read this year, I would like to demonstrate to you that Darwin was in fact surprised and astounded at how his ideas about Natural Selection were distorted into Man's direct descent from Primates.  What I mean to say is that Darwin's ideas were made into a caricaturized on a scientific level in such a fashion that Darwin himself was not comfortable with.  I may be wrong here but I have been led to this position by reading the texts in this British series.  I look to further this discussion with due process.

[Rissa Flores · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, I finished it. Hooray.

To start things off, I consider this particular topic as one of my weak spots; in theory and in all other aspects. So when Fully Booked had a big sale last month, I ended up picking this one which I thought was basically a Political-theories-for-dummies kind of read.

Overall, I guess it's a good introduction to ideologies relating to politics, society, etc. It's a quick reference book if you want a snippet on Hobbes or John Locke, not exactly to get a firm grasp of their political views. Although, the graphics did help a bit, or at least helped pique my interest and go through the whole thing faster so I can proceed into looking for the more in-depth works tackling the different theories in the book.

I'm tempted to buy the other books in this series because 1) Reviews are pointing me towards the fact that this was actually one of the weaker ones in the whole selection lol 2) they look nice on the shelf when they're all together lol.

[Mohamed Mamari · Rating 3 out of 5]

My aim of reading this book was to get a general idea on the subject without getting into details. I wanted to know the key concepts and the main philosophers who participated in this area. The book served this aim perfectly as it is a ‘guide’.

It was interesting to see how the ideas developed chronologically and how many political philosophers go back to discuss same basic ideas but surprisingly, or not, they reach different conclusions and build different philosophies.

I have to say that ideas are not explained enough to understand what each philosopher contributed and many of the graphic pictures are not necessary. Anyone looking for details and a more comprehensive explanation of the ideas won’t find this book particularly useful but it is a good start.

[Dan Carey · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, understandable overview of political philosophy from the ancient world to modern times. Moving in a more-or-less historical direction, the descriptions will typically explain a philosopher's objections/responses to what preceded them. That works fine until you get to modern times, where we're kind of left with contemporary philosophers having the last word. While I liked the idea of having illustrations to enliven the text, the drawings themselves were mostly amateurish in execution and odd in content. They really don't add much apart from keeping the text from looking too dense on the page.

[Jaakko Vasankari · Rating 5 out of 5]

More than 101

I picked up this originally because of my love for comics, and addiction to politics. I was planning to stop reading if it makes mockery either of political philosophies, or comics. It does leap from a topic to topic every few pages but the strength of the thing comes out from the way it summarises philosophers and ideologies. For example, I've been fairly familiar with Rousseau's work, and I have written a 40 page essay about him. In this book he is mentioned only on a few pages but the way he is covered is so much better and deeper than my way. This book really made me think of how I present philosophies.

[Steph De Mel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great example of a Graphic Guide done well. Information is conveyed clearly and succinctly, yet simultaneously, Robinson manages to cover an impressively broad range of issues and ideas in this short book. Further, he takes care to draw linkages between the ideas of different philosophers, in a manner that makes clear the distinctions (both sharp and subtle) between each thinker's approach to a particular subject, and also allows the reader a useful view of the way in which these ideas shape, and are shaped by, each other through time. 

Consequently, this is an excellent resource for anyone in search of an engaging, accessible introduction to political philosophy. 

[Rafael Bernardes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Não vale a leitura principalmente como introdução a filosofia política pois em geral as ideias são apresentadas quase como uma lista e sem uma ligação lógica que favoreça a compreensão. Todos os típicos são apresentados de maneira muito superficial e através da interpretação do autor, que falha em demonstrar e capturar a essência de cada autor. Até aí seria um 2 estrelas.
O fato do autor apresentar até mesmo filósofos que acreditam no exato oposto do seu viés seria positivo, se não o fizesse já diminuindo ou ridicularizando suas ideias.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out really well. But once it gets to Marxism it lost its glow. The author doesn’t even try to remain objective which is irritating. I was after a factual explanation of the various philosophies but this writer clearly hates capitalism and makes no effort to hide it with various snide comments about it (including in the drawings!).

That being said, I did learn a bit from this - especially about ancient theorists such as Plato, Locke, Hobbes and Machiavelli.

[Johannes Duckeck · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I learned a lot from this book, and as far as Introducing... books go, this one has a lot of information and very good illustration throughout. It goes through the history of political thought and does so well. I almost feel like it made me better understand the concepts of Karl Marx’s thought than the Karl Marx volume of this series did.

Of course it doesn’t go in depth, but it inspires further exploration of the topic!

[animesh jain · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Book starts off well with thought provoking questions but it loses it's edge in the midway.
The pictorial presentation of the ideas was incredible but could have been simplified further.
Apart from stressing on the core ideas of few philosophers ,book just touches other thinkers which offers very little insight to a starter.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing any analysis of fascism and its rise in times of crisis, establishment worsening the economy during a 5 to 10 year annual downturn, or simply artificial crisis. Also not enough anarchism in there, postmodernists were but a few pages at the end of the book. Informative for those new, or unfamiliar with liberalism origins

[Racha Gh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Should be titles "Introducing Western Political Philosophy" as it lacks any diversity in outlook, also societies have existed long before the dates the chronology begins with no reference to that. Otherwise a good reference book

[Attand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth Reading

This book is a well written overview of the subject from Ancient to Modern times. However, what I find, as in other books, it is only about ideas originating in the west

[Clive Hazell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Review of a wide span of thinkers. I kind of like Rawls and thought he was given short shrift while the weaknesses of others were overlooked. But any review will have its biases.

[Politics and philosophy probably · Rating 4 out of 5]

No complaints! Offers tons of food for thought, covers early to modern thinkers well. There were some thinkers i’d like to see looked at more, but it covers the dominant thinkers well and with good insight for what it’s worth.

[Eduardo Corvacho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and easy to read. Gives a good overview on political philosophy and its main chains of thought.

[kapil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct about the history of political philosophy through different philosophers, graphics make you think.

[Alexandru · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brief incursion into political philosophy.

[Arnas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book that does what it says it does. Wish there was more on the current generation of politics.

[Brittney Martinez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A succinct introduction to political philosophy beginning in Ancient Greece to the modern world. I'm looking forward to reading other graphic guides that Amazon Prime offers.