The Great Political Theories, Vol. 2: A Comprehensive Selection of the Crucial Ideas in Political Philosophy from the French Revolution to Modern Times

by Michael Curtis (Editor)

This carefully selected compilation of the significant writings of the great political philosophers, scientists, and thinkers will be an invaluable guide to the general reader as well as to the serious student of history, political science, and government. Such essential forces as Revolution, Romanticism, Marxism, Anarchy, Utilitarianism, Theology, Idealism, and Nationalism are examined in detail and expounded by their leading exponents. Professor Curtis has written running commentary that places the extracts and their authors in the sequence of modern history.

And newly added for this edition are studies of selected works by, John Stuart Mill, Alexander Herzen, Antonio Gramsci, Sebastian de Grazia, and John Rawls. Also new are a table of contents and an updated, comprehensive bibliography -- each clear and concise for easy reference.

Together with the first volume, also available in a Discus edition, which covers political thought from Plato and Aristotle to Locke and Montesquieu, The Great Political Theories offers an unparalleled view of political thought in Western civilization.

Genres: Philosophy, Politics, History, Nonfiction, Political Science, Reference, Theory

496 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1962

Reviews

[Michael Gerald]

I read this book as required reading for one of my major Political Science Courses, Political Theory, in DLSU. I was much interested in political philosophy and expected to learn a lot about the evolution of theoretical discourse of politics. Though the book introduced me to thinkers and concepts I was only briefly aware of at that time, I think the book could have been more effective if only the author made a more thorough analysis and explanation of some of Political Science's ideas and values like politics, freedom, responsibility, power, justice, natural law, rights, etc. It would have also helped if there was a separate box for each political philosopher and another box for the political value being discussed. That would have made it more reader-friendly, especially for the uninitiated. Still, it can pass.

[Anil]

I read this book for fun. That’s right. Fun. I’m not a philosophy or political science student. I have a PhD in engineering, and I just have an interest in politics and philosophy. But my goals when reading this book were similar to that of an intro course on political philosophy. I wanted to get as much exposure to as many political theories as possible. On a surface level, it felt like it achieved that. The book covers an array of political theories/ideas, including aristocratists, conservatives, utilitarians, socialists, elitists, irrationalists, communists, and syndicalist anarchists. There is also a wide range of styles from contract-based theorists Rousseau and Kant to economic theorists such as John Adams and Karl Marx. It’s also sufficiently diverse that there are typically opposite viewpoints offered for most ideas. As JS Mill says, the best way to make up one’s mind is to listen to opposing arguments in the best light by those who are genuinely passionate about them (heavily paraphrased).

Needless to say, I’m no expert on political philosophy, and there’s no way for me to know how correct or representative the selected passages are in this book of the entire field. However, I was familiar with about a third of the names, and was interested in learning more about them.

Also, it would have been nice if an additional 30-50 pages were added for contemporary theories from the past 50 years. I realize it may be difficult to select from the thousands of people who are now deep in the field, but maybe some of the most prominent theorists could have been included.

Oh and there’s not a single woman in this book, which is shameful. (And I think it would have been perfect to use the contemporary political theorists section for including female and “non-white”philosophers.)

[Adina]

Some interesting ideas of government and nature of man, especially approaching the 20th century, but overall a very dry book to read.

[Paul Sheckarski]

Not a note on the whole book but only what I've just recently completed. V. impressed by Niebuhr and Weber. I guess I should have paid closer attention in college, as I was meant to have read both of them! Far less impressed by Rawls than I expected to be. But as these are all excerpts, I've only gotten a little taste of all the writers here. So what was the point of this exercise? Have I only used this book to facilitate my own dilettante-ness? to be able to say "Oh yes I've read him" whenever Gramsci comes up in conversation? Gramsci was the author I understood the least here. It would be criminal of me to say I read him.

[Cyrus Molavi]

This was a nice balanced way to get an overview of major movements in political philosophy over the past hundred years. Each chapter covered a cohort of thinkers by introducing the context, and then providing selected passages from them. Boy, am I glad I didn't try to slog through entire texts from some of these thinkers. It's good that I got a taste, though. I came away appreciating the tone of the field and the clarity of John Stuart Mill, Schumpeter, and John Rawls.

[Corey]

If what you're looking for is someone to explain particular political theorists to you this is not a book for you. While there are short blurbs at the beginning of each chapter it is essentially an anthology. However, if what you're looking for is to get some exposure to various political thinkers original works so that you can get an idea of where else to explore more deeply it's perfect for that.

[Win Subam]

For novice readers of political thoughts like me, the book is a door to appreciate political science and the field’s greatest minds. It’s a helpful guide into the thoughts of the influential thinkers in the modern era for beginners like me who have a minimal knowledge about the significant political thoughts that has been shaping the world’s politics. Further, the further readings at the latter part of the book is a great aid to dive into their insights and beliefs.

[Tora]

The second volume continues exploring major political theories, focusing on modern and contemporary thinkers. It’s engaging, well-organized, and helps readers see how political ideas evolve and influence today’s world.

[Connor Longaphie]

I hate politics

[Aquarius_Archives]

Quite helpful, especially as a Polsci student. This helps me understand more on the political theories, contexts on. How it was created, etc.

[kxlsoom]

Decent starting book if you want to dive into the evolution of modern political thought. Helps you understand the ideas that shaped contemporary governance and society.

[Rob, the Monk]

Once read, you will find these books indispensable as a handy resource. Brief summaries and excerpts of some of the greatest political ideas in history, they allow one an easy polish to any term paper- because how many people quote Cicero?

[Fran]

Note to self: Main reference for Soc Sci 2: Social, Economic and Political Thought under Prof. Raymond Quilop, First Semester 1995-96, GE course from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, University of the Philippines-Diliman.

[Ron]

A good collection of original writings and interpretation of political philosophy from Rousseau Plato through modern writers (as of 1962) following the development of current concepts of western political science.

[Mitch]

This is a good account of the development of political theory, after the ancients.

[Simon]

It was OK. I don't really like readers, but it was useful for teaching.