Cicero's Social and Political Thought

by Neal Wood

Overview

In this close examination of the social and political thought of Marcus Tullius Cicero (106-43 B.C.), Neal Wood focuses on Cicero's conceptions of state and government, showing that he is the father of constitutionalism, the archetype of the politically conservative mind, and the first to reflect extensively on politics as an activity.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780520074279
Publisher:	University of California Press
Publication date:	02/20/1991
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Neal Wood is Professor of Political Science at York University. His most recent books are The Politics of Locke's Philosophy (California, 1983) and John Locke and Agrarian Capitalism (California, 1984).

Table of Contents

Preface 
Note on the Sources 
I. Introduction: Cicero's Significance 
II. Ciceronian Society 
1. The Changing Social Structure 
2. Some Characteristics of Roman Government 
3. The Late Republican Time of Troubles 
III. Cicero's Life and Works 
1. Biographical Milestones and Intellectual Influences 
2. Philosophy as Solace and Guide 
3. Principal Social and Political Writings 
IV. Law, Justice, and Human Nature 
1. Natural Law and Natural Justice 
2. Conception of Man 
V. Moral Equality and Social Inequality 
1. The Socially Superior and Inferior 
2. Vulgar and Gentlemanly Callings 
3. The Model Gentleman 
VI. Private Property and Its Accumulation
1. The Finances and Properties of Cicero
2. An Enlightened Economic Individualism
3. Town versus Country 
VII. The Idea of the State
1. Dedication to the State and Politics 
2. Definition of the State 
3. Purpose of the State 
4. State, Government, and Society 
VIII. Types of State
1. The Three Simple Constitutions 
2. Forms of Tyranny 
IX. Essentials of the Mixed Constitution
1. The Doctrine prior to Cicero 
2. The Roman Mixture 
3. Institutions of the Ideal Mixture 
X. The Art of Politics
1. Nature of Politics 
2. Violence as a Political Instrument 
3. Major Ends of Statecraft 
4. Rudiments of Economic Policy 
XI. Conclusion
Notes
Select Bibliography
Index