Political Theory: An Introduction / Edition 4

by Andrew Heywood

Overview

Heywood (government and politics, Croydon College) offers an accessible introduction to political theory and the key concepts of political analysis. In each chapter, he discusses a cluster of interrelated terms, examining how they have been used by different thinkers and schools of thought. The book is designed to build understanding of both classical theories and also of contemporary debates and controversies. This third edition adds extended coverage of issues such as identity and difference, multiculturalism, globalization, and utopianism. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781137437273
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	03/13/2015
Edition description:	4th ed. 2015
Pages:	440
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Andrew Heywood was Vice Principal of Croydon College, UK, having previously been Director of Studies at Orpington College, UK, and Head of Politics at Farnborough Sixth-Form College, UK.

Clayton Chin is Senior Lecturer in Political Theory at the University of Melbourne, Australia.

Table of Contents

	Boxes	xii
	Preface	xv
1	Introduction: Concepts and Theories in Politics	1
	Language and politics	1
	Understanding ideas and concepts	3
	Political science and political theory	8
	Political theory: problems and challenges	10
	Summary	15
	Further reading	15
2	Human Nature, the Individual and Society	16
	Human nature	17
	Nature versus nurture	18
	Intellect versus instinct	21
	Competition versus cooperation	24
	The individual	27
	Individualism	27
	Individual and community	32
	The individual in politics	37
	Society	40
	Collectivism	41
	Theories of society	43
	Social cleavages	45
	Summary	49
	Further reading	50
3	Politics, Government and the State	51
	Politics	52
	The art of government	52
	Public affairs	55
	Power and resources	58
	Government	64
	Why have government?	65
	Forms of government	67
	Political systems	72
	The state	74
	Government and the state	74
	Theories of state	77
	Role of the state	84
	Summary	87
	Further reading	87
4	Sovereignty, the Nation and Supranationalism	89
	Sovereignty	90
	Legal and political sovereignty	90
	Internal sovereignty	92
	External sovereignty	95
	The nation	97
	Cultural and political nations	98
	Nationalism and cosmopolitanism	101
	A future for the nation-state?	106
	Supranationalism	109
	Intergovernmentalism	110
	Federalism and federations	114
	Prospects of world government	116
	Summary	120
	Further reading	120
5	Power, Authority and Legitimacy	122
	Power	123
	Decision-making	124
	Agenda-setting	126
	Thought control	128
	Authority	130
	Power and authority	131
	Kinds of authority	133
	Defenders and detractors	137
	Legitimacy	141
	Constitutionalism and consent	143
	Ideological hegemony	145
	Legitimation crises	147
	Summary	150
	Further reading	151
6	Law, Order and Justice	152
	Law	152
	The rule of law	153
	Natural and positive law	156
	Law and liberty	159
	Order	162
	Discipline and control	163
	Natural harmony	167
	Justifying punishment	171
	Justice	175
	Procedural justice	176
	Substantive justice	178
	Justifying law-breaking?	181
	Summary	185
	Further reading	186
7	Rights, Obligations and Citizenship	187
	Rights	188
	Legal and moral rights	188
	Human rights	191
	Animal and other rights?	195
	Obligations	200
	Contractual obligations	201
	Natural duty	203
	Limits of political obligation	205
	Citizenship	207
	Elements of citizenship	210
	Social citizenship	213
	Active citizenship	215
	Summary	218
	Further reading	219
8	Democracy, Representation and the Public Interest	220
	Democracy	221
	Direct and indirect democracy	224
	Liberal democracy	226
	Virtues and vices of democracy	229
	Representation	233
	Representatives or delegates?	234
	Elections and mandates	236
	Characteristic representation	238
	The public interest	241
	Private and public interests	241
	Is there a public interest?	244
	Dilemmas of democracy	248
	Summary	252
	Further reading	252
9	Freedom, Toleration and Liberation	253
	Freedom	254
	Liberty and licence	255
	Negative freedom	259
	Positive freedom	261
	Toleration	265
	Toleration and permissiveness	265
	The case for toleration	268
	Limits of toleration	270
	Liberation	273
	National liberation	274
	Sexual liberation	276
	Politics of liberation	279
	Summary	283
	Further reading	284
10	Equality, Social Justice and Welfare	285
	Equality	286
	Formal equality	287
	Equality of opportunity	290
	Equality of outcome	293
	Social justice	295
	According to needs	296
	According to rights	300
	According to deserts	302
	Welfare	304
	Welfare and poverty	305
	In praise of welfare	308
	Welfare under attack	311
	Summary	316
	Further reading	317
11	Property, Planning and the Market	318
	Property	319
	Private property	319
	Common property	323
	State property	325
	Planning	327
	The planning process	327
	Promise of planning	330
	Perils of planning	332
	The market	335
	The market mechanism	336
	Miracle of the market	338
	Market failures	343
	Summary	346
	Further reading	346
12	Reaction, Reform and Revolution	348
	Reaction	349
	Defending the status quo	349
	Reclaiming the past	351
	Change in order to conserve	354
	Reform	356
	Progress and reason	357
	Reform versus revolution	359
	The march of history halted?	364
	Revolution	366
	Political revolution	369
	Social revolution	372
	Cultural revolution	375
	Summary	377
	Further reading	378
	Bibliography	379
	Index	392

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Reviews of previous edition:

'Here is a marvellous introductory tour through the territory of political theory… Heywood has charted the area so clearly and matched his lucid thinking with such accessible prose that his guided tour is a tour de force, an ideal primer for new students of politics at both advanced and university level.' - Jessica Sarago, Times Educational Supplement

'[A] lucid and highly engaging introduction to political theory. Heywood covers a large range of ideas and issues and he is particularly good at taking a synoptic view of these and making them accessible for those coming to political theory for the first time. No matter how high the ideal or how abstract the concept, he never fails to make it intelligible and to illustrate its relevance for the real world of politics.' - Peter Jones, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne

'This is a fascinating and highly informative text which is clearly organised and written with wonderful clarity. Heywood conveys not only his undoubted expertise but also his enthusiasm for the subject.' - Peter Dorey, Talking Politics

Editorial Reviews

New edition of a text that introduces political theory and the key concepts in political analysis, referring to both classical theories and contemporary issues and arguments. In each chapter, Heywood (course director for politics, and director of studies at Orpington College) presents a cluster of interrelated terms, examines how they have been used by different thinkers and in the various traditions, and explores related debates and controversies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

A vital and engaging introduction to modern political theory in all its breadth and complexity. This book is an invaluable tool for any student of politics.” —Ashley Dodsworth, Senior Lecturer of Politics and International Studies, University of Bristol, UK

“This fifth edition of Andrew Heywood's textbook Political Theory, adapted and improved by Clayton Chin, serves as an excellent introduction to political philosophy and theory. Approachable, comprehensive and updated, this book gives attention to students and instructors alike and is an essential resource for inclusion in more theoretically-oriented courses offered by political science departments.” —Jean-Paul Gagnon, Senior Lecturer of Politics, University of Canberra, Australia

“Clearly and accessibly written, this is a masterly and comprehensive study of the major concepts and problems in political theory. It relates key figures and traditions in the history of political thought to contemporary debates, covering the diverse strands of liberal thinking, as well as a wide range of critical theories and approaches.” —Katherine Smits, Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations, University of Auckland, New Zealand

“This new edition of Political Theory is an astute, remarkably skilful and telling account of what political theory is. It is an engaging and stimulating resource for all those who are interested in the topic.” —Ruth Groff, Associate Professor of Political Science, Saint Louis University, USA

“A highly accessible, compelling and up-to-date introduction to political thought conveyed through the myriad debates that propel it from past to present. Students who read it will not only be able to grasp concepts, but learn how to use them to understand the world we live in.” —Jemima Repo, Reader in Political and Feminist Theory, Newcastle University, UK

“Newly revised, the fifth edition of Political Theory provides a comprehensive and up-to-date survey of the field. Distinguished by its focus on both traditional and modern political problems, including those related to exclusion, the book thoroughly explores the nature and contributions of the discipline.” —Clay Arnold, Professor and Department Chair of Political Science, University of Central Arkansas, USA

From the Publisher