Great Political Theories V.2: A Comprehensive Selection of the Crucial Ideas in Political Philosophy from the French Revolution to Modern Times (Harper Perennial Modern Thought, 19)

It was in good shape and sometimes running into some highlighted sections in the book is more helpful than not. I'm happy with my purchase.

Very good quality excerpts from many of the most influential political theorists

Comprehensive.

Good recopilation of information. I would like it to be more clear about theories. The books helps you to hace aquick review of political history but is not so good for used as text guide while teaching

The first volume of "The Great Political Theories" covered the more than two millennia from Ancient Greece to the Enlightenment. Since the late eighteenth century, ideas in political philosophy have been so numerous and wide-ranging that they easily fill this second volume of the series.Some of the most eminent thinkers of modern times such as Kant, Burke, Hegel, Smith, Mill, Nietzsche, and numerous others appear in Volume Two. Each themed chapter contains a good introduction to the material, and then selections of the philosophers' works are presented so that the reader can read their ideas in their own words.The selections here offer arguments in regard to controversies that have been ongoing in the West in the last two-plus centuries: individualism versus collectivism, continuity versus change, industrialism versus anti-industrialism, rationalism versus romanticism, socialism versus capitalism, authoritarianism versus freedom of thought and speech, classical liberalism versus aristocratic conservatism (there is definitely a reason why, unlike in Britain and Canada, conservatives in the United States are not referred to as Tories), and elitism versus both egalitarianism and anarchism.Other topics debated in these chapters include nationalism, the nature of the state, the nature of political leadership, economic issues and policies, and whether man is an end or merely a means to an end. While certainly not endorsing them, "The Great Political Theories" also does not ignore writings from the dark side of the last two centuries, including those that advocated for what became the totalitarian systems of the twentieth century.Scientific discoveries, psychology, sociology, and religion have all had an impact on political thought and philosophy since the late eighteenth century, and this volume includes writings from philosophers that show how that has been so.Reading and studying even those you disagree with can help clarify to you what you actually do believe and why. "The Great Political Theories" offers a compendium of political ideas and thoughts since the late 1700s and would be rewarding reading for anyone with a serious interest in political theory and philosophy.

I had to buy this book for a poli sci class. It wasn't like it was a great read or anything. I actually found it hard to follow sometimes, but that might have been because it would put me to sleep.

Great highlight-able book that covers the best in political philosophy. Very comprehensive and thought provoking- a great read! Would recommend reading the first volume or being familiar with earlier philosophies because there is some hearkening back (veryy minimal, doesn't disrupt the read if you only read this volume). Overall, I absolutely loved it! Covered everyone I was additionally curious about and summarizes perfectly.

I casually stumbled upon the second volume in a bookstore, in 2003. I had five minutes to kill while waiting for my step brother to run an errand, and was forever changed: the essays were gripping; their variety and scope overwhelming; and the concise, informed synopses for each selection were infectiouslly engaging and intensely philosophical. I'm not even a political science major; my areas of interest are psychology and English literature; but I was provoked by this volume into exploring many of its individual authors more fully, and to always keep political theory in mind, even if I cannot bring it into my work. The first volume is excellent, also, and I would have started there first, if it weren't for getting so captivated by the second.