The Great Political Theories, Volume 1

by Michael Curtis (Editor, Introduction, Commentary)

Volume 1 of the classic anthology of political a comprehensive selection of the crucial ideas in political philosophy from Plato and Aristotle to Locke and Montesquieu As an introduction to political theory and science, this standout collection of writings by the great philosophers is a must for readers of philosophy. It also forms a basic textbook for students of government and political theory. Such fundamental concepts as Democracy, the Rule of Law, Justice, Natural Rights, Sovereignty, Citizenship, Power, the State, Revolution, Liberty, Reason, Materialism, Toleration, and the Place of Religion in Society are traced from their origins, through their development and changing patterns, to show how they guide political thinking and institutions today. Among the authors in this Sophocles, Plato, Artistotle, Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Cicero, St. Augustine, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Martin Luther, Calvin, Hobbes, Spinoza, Locke, and Montesquieu.

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

464 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1961

Reviews

[Michael Gerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.

[Public Scott · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dear God, this book is the living embodiment of being forced to eat your vegetables. You know it's good for you but it has all the appeal of eating a gigantic bowl of raw brussel sprouts. An ordeal from beginning to end.

On top of this I am baffled by the editor Curtis's use of archaic translations for some passages. Was it really necessary to give us the St. Augustine section with all of the King James-era thees and thous intact? It was very distracting.

Why even write a review? If you pick up this book you know what you're getting yourself into.

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives the reader much to absorb. "The Great Political Theories" touches on nearly every school of political thought, starting in ancient Greece and ending with the French Philosophes. Having these theories presented in chronological order helps to form a picture of how various governments developed throughout the ages.

There were a few philosophers I especially enjoyed. To me, the highlights included Sophocles, Plato, Cicero, Polybius, Marcus Aurelius, Machiavelli, John of Salisbury, and Locke.

Also, reading through all of these excerpts helped me to piece together the ideas that laid the foundation for the US constiution. Most significant were Polybius and Montesqiueu's writings on mixed government. It is my understanding that several US founding fathers refrenced these texts when devising the various branches of government and respective checks and balances.

I hope to read through these texts in more detail in the future, but for now I feel that this book provides a good start towards understanding the development of political thouhght.

[Corey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I nursed this book along for a really long time. of course that's the nice thing about something like this where you can pick it up in between other things. I'm a big fan of encouraging people to read original works not just someone else's opinion on what was written. This is a nice way to see the evolution of political thought and to get introduced to the original works.

[Adina · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an induction into formal political philosophy and history of political thought. Political philosophy is concerned, among things, with understanding the organisation of states and societies, forms of government, nature of man, relation of god with man, of governed and governor. Overall, the book is a great collection of writings by famous philosophers in the Western world from the ancient Greeks to the 17th century; well edited - or at least the collection should be a starting point for reading more complete works. I enjoyed the historical perspective and seeing how the political thought has evolved over time, which is palpable in terms of topics and values being discussed.

That being said, and this is a personal view, two thousand years ago, humanity stood on the shoulders of wise giants like Plato, Aristotle or Seneca. Plato proposed that the state is the man, and the man is the state — an idea that persisted over time and made philosophers investigate the nature of man; particularly, the needs, liberties and vices, in relation to the state. “ The good state, like the good man, possessed the characteristics of temperance, courage, wisdom and justice.” Plato.

But after the Hellenistic Rome, political thought went quickly downhill, into a great dark abyss called the Middle Ages, where tyranny, abuse and superstition thrived. Maybe a modern view, but it is easy to be conflicted with men claiming they have absolute power by being God’s representatives on Earth. Ideas in the Renaissance and Reformation started making some sense, by returning to the greek philosophy, and shaping them towards modern views of larger, more complex states. The book ends with Montesquieu who was the first to propose that the legislative (people, parliament), executive (monarch, president, government) and judicial (civil law) powers should be separated in a state. Next, the second volume covering modern political ideas!

More quotes
“Does not the worst evil for a state arise from anything that tends to render it asunder and destroy its unity, while nothing does it more good than whatever tends to bind it together and make it one? And are not citizens bound together by sharing in the same pleasures and pains, all feeling glad or grieved on the same occasions of gain or loss; whereas the bond is broken when such feelings are no longer universal, but any event of public or personal concern fills some with joy and others with distress? And this disunion comes about when the words “mine” and “not mine”, “another’s” and “not another’s” are not applied to the same things throughout the community.” Plato

“You cannot be a ruler unless you have first been ruled. “ Aristotle

“Man, when perfected, is the best of animals; but if he be isolated from law and justice he is the worst of all.” Aristotle

“False ideas drive [men] to insanity.” Seneca

“Greater is he who blesses man than he who is blessed.” John of Salisbury

“Man was the creator of his society.” Hobbes

“If men were supplied with everything in the same abundance, or if everyone had the same affection and tender regard for everyone as for himself, justice and injustice would be equally unknown among mankind.” Hume

[Tom Schulte · Rating 3 out of 5]

with dismally little commentary fhis compendium presents abridged treatises on government from antiquity to the late 18th century. covering two millennia in less than 500 pages is a breathless review of the development of political thought.
it seems original government w as idealized as priestly with clerical oversight of any secular rulers. when the teo separated monarchies eventually gained supremacy evethrough the concept of divine right. this supremacyacy of a single ruler strikes me as incredible now. james I put it bluntly "whatsoever errors and intolerable abominations a sovereign prince commit, he ought to escape all punishment, as if thereby the world were only ordained for kings"

fortunately Spinoza began to articulate bounds on the ruler and locke codified branches and balances realized in the United States. actually the last couple of centuries seems about further limitations on rulers and more separation from church.

i see now Greek stoicism a philosophy of subjugated people's used by Rome to give rationale for empire,


i was surprised to see con

[Win Subam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book offers a panoramic view of the political theories proposed by influential thinkers from ancient times until late 17th and 18th century. I appreciate the inclusion of the excerpts of some of their works. However, the author could have put additional explanation on some of the beliefs wrote by the thinkers for the readers who are new to the reading of political philosophy. But overall, this book is a peregrination on understanding the ideas of the political geniuses in the past from Aristotle, Plato, Polybius to Hobbes, Locke, and Montesquieu.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well put together documentation of the development of various political systems. Especially interesting with respect to influences of religion on major systems, the idea of sovereignty, and the underlying nature of man & the natural rights that have been discussed for centuries. Concise & clear.

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed the selections of Plato, Seneca, Aquinas, Machiavelli, Mariana, Suarez, Grotius, Hobbes, and Hume. Lots of material on divine right, the relationship between church and state, and the foundations of government.

[Mary Brace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent review of the evolution of politics throughout history. Full of original texts from original philosophical thinkers, although tough to read some of them due to the style and time frame when they were written. I will most likely get the second volume to complete this review.

[Guillaume Keller · Rating 2 out of 5]

Brutally eurocentric...

[Aquarius_Archives · Rating 4 out of 5]

Helped me in understanding the creation of political ideologies that managed to persist throughout history.

[cityofchanel · Rating 4 out of 5]

needed this for writing my papers. big slay got a grade of 1.5 cos of it :>

[Jami · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book in terms of providing an entryway into the great political thinkers from the Greeks to the Enlightenment. As a Political Science undergraduate student, I enjoy being able to revive my studies, revisit people I need to study more, and I just found Francois Hotman and his francogallia. The idea of the "Old Constitutional Form" pg 272 is finding its relevancy again today.

[Alberto Neto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good introduction to political theory. As an engineer, it is interesting to see how people think outside the science field. It took me a while to go over the book as the extracts from the original books are sometimes hard to read~ Nevertheless, the author provides a quick briefing on the theory for each part which makes it easy to understand and enjoy. Looking forward to reading volume 2

[Fran · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did not ever read this cover to cover, but skipped around, with pleasure and curiosity. This may be as much Plato as I ever read.
Volume 2, though, whoa...
Recommended, from your used book location, or a library that keeps real old mass market paperbacks.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another of my favorite political theory books.

[Lorenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really learned a lot from this book.All the big names contained in this book, Aristotle, Plato, Hobbes,Locke,etc. are very interesting to read..

[Johnson]

it makes me think more about the social structure when the theories where written

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good collection of original writings in political philosophy from Plato through Montesquieu following the development of fundamental concepts of western political science.

[Ako Si]

a

[Jotam Magraccia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cold philosophy wont chill me.

[Nikolaus Buenconsejo · Rating 3 out of 5]

the best political philosophy

[Simon · Rating 3 out of 5]

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