Approaches to Political Thought

by William L. Richter, Lisa V. Binckes, Charles J. Cavenee, Carol A. Gould, Dan R. Harden

Overview

Approaches to Political Thought raises three important questions concerning traditional political thought: (1) Why study the political writings and ideas of Plato, Machiavelli, and other long-dead writers? (2) Who among the writers, and which of their works, are worth studying? (3) How should they be studied? The book then explores ten contemporary approaches to understanding political thought and the diverse answers to these questions. The approaches covered include those of Leo Strauss, Hannah Arendt, Eric Voegelin, Sheldon Wolin, the Cambridge School (Quentin Skinner and J.G.A. Pocock), Psychobiography, Critical Theory of the Frankfurt School (Herbert Marcuse and JYrgen Habermas), Hermeneutics (Paul Ricoeur and Hans-Georg Gadamer), Michel Foucault, and Feminist Criticism (Susan Moller Okin and Jean Elshtain). Each chapter includes an introductory essay and edited selections that illustrate or discuss that approach. Each chapter concludes with discussion questions and suggestions for further exploration, including books, articles, and web sites. This exploration of contending contemporary approaches to political thought touches upon ongoing methodological and philosophical issues that are relevant to several academic disciplines, including political science, history, philosophy, and psychology.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742564336
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	03/16/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	342
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

William L. Richter is professor emeritus of political science at Kansas State University. He has served as Kansas State's associate provost for International Programs, head of the Political Science Department, South Asia Center director, and chair of the Landon Lecture Series. His publications include Combating Corruption, Encouraging Ethics, co-edited with Frances Burke, and numerous book chapters and articles on South Asian political and security issues. He has taught political thought for more than four decades, at Kansas State, University of Hawaii, Illinois Institute of Technology, and Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. He continues to find the approaches discussed in this book exciting and challenging.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction: The Study of Political Thought Part 2 Textual Approaches Chapter 3 Leo Strauss and Political Philosophy Chapter 4 Hannah Arendt and Remembrance Chapter 5 Eric Voegelin, Philosopher of History Part 6 Contextual Approaches Chapter 7 Sheldon Wolin and Paradigmatic Political Thought Chapter 8 Quentin Skinner, J.G.A. Pocock, and History of Thought Chapter 9 Erik Erikson and Psychobiography Part 10 Postmodern Approaches Chapter 11 Herbert Marcuse, Jurgen Habermas, and Critical Theory Chapter 12 Paul Ricoeur, Hans-Georg Gadamer, and Hermeneutics Chapter 13 Michael Foucault and the Archeology of Knowledge Chapter 14 Feminist Criticism: Okin and Elshtain Chapter 15 Conclusion

Editorial Reviews

In this volume, William L. Richter skillfully introduces the reader to several key thinkers in the contemporary academic study of political philosophy. And he moves beyond introduction to thoughtful evaluation through the competent interpretive essays accompanying each thinker or movement. The volume is one from which students and general learners will profit immensely.

Charles E. Butterworth

Any student who becomes interested in political theory needs to understand at some point that there are a multiplicity of ways to approach and interpret the canonical texts and the issues they address. William L. Richter here provides within the covers of one volume a very useful compendium of both primary and secondary essays to help create that awareness of hermeneutic diversity and contestation.

Thomas A. Spragens Jr.

Any student who becomes interested in political theory needs to understand at some point that there are a multiplicity of ways to approach and interpret the canonical texts and the issues they address. William L. Richter here provides within the covers of one volume a very useful compendium of both primary and secondary essays to help create that awareness of hermeneutic diversity and contestation.--Thomas A. Spragens Jr., Duke University

In this volume, William L. Richter skillfully introduces the reader to several key thinkers in the contemporary academic study of political philosophy. And he moves beyond introduction to thoughtful evaluation through the competent interpretive essays accompanying each thinker or movement. The volume is one from which students and general learners will profit immensely.--Charles E. Butterworth, University of Maryland

From the Publisher