When you shop through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. This educational content is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice.
20 Best Books On Political Theory (2023 Update)
Are you looking for the Best Books On Political Theory? If so, you’ve come to the right place.
Choosing the Best Books On Political Theory can be difficult as there are so many considerations, such as Penguin Random House, WHSmith, Amazon.com. We have done a lot of research to find the Top 20 Best Books On Political Theory available.
The average cost is $26.80. Sold comparable range in price from a low of $11.51 to a high of $64.95.
Based on the research we did, we think Great Political Theories V.1: A Comprehensive Selection of the Crucial Ideas in Political Philosophy from the Greeks to the Enlightenment [Book] is the best overall. Read on for the rest of the great options and our buying guide, where you can find all the information you need to know before making an informed purchase.
20 Best Books On Political Theory (20 Sellers)
| Product Image | Product Name | Features | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: harpercollins publishers inc
- Year published: 2008-03-11
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 2015-02-20
- Number of pages: 440
Features:
- More than 100 groundbreaking ideas in the history of political thought
- Packed with facts, charts, timelines and graphs to help explain core concepts
- A visual approach to big subjects with striking illustrations and graphics throughout
Features:
- Publisher: oup oxford
- Publisher date: 2003-06-26
- Dimensions: 17.78 x 1.52 x 11.18 centimetres
Features:
- Publisher: harper perennial
- Publisher date: 2008-03
- Dimensions: 20.27 x 13.82 x 2.97 centimetres
Features:
- Series: walgreen foundation lectures wfl
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: the university of chicago press
Features:
- Mint condition
- Dispatch same day for order received before 12 noon
- Guaranteed packaging
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: arcade publishing
- Year published: 2020-01-21
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 2019-08-08
- Number of pages: 320
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 1972-05-10
- Number of pages: 252
Features:
- A thoroughly updated and substantially expanded edition of an acclaimed anthology
- A thoroughly updated and substantially expanded edition of an acclaimed anthology of political thought
- Includes brief introductions for each thinker
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 2016-09-12
- Number of pages: 792
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 2008-06-12
- Number of pages: 900
$25.00
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Year published: 2013-02-07
- Number of pages: 592
$28.61
5.0
Features:
- Number of pages: 214
- Genre: political science
- Sub-genre: history & theory
$64.95
Features:
- Brings together several important pieces by the thinkers who form and expand the canon of contemporary political thought.
- Binding type: paperback.
- Number of pages: 504.
$45.46
Features:
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: oxford university press inc
- Year published: 1996-10-01
$21.06
Features:
- About the book.
- Selected essays of arguably the greatest and most influential historian of ideas of modern times.
- Book synopsis.
Features:
- Series: very short introductions
- Binding type: paperback
- Publisher: oxford university press
Features:
- About the book.
- An updated, comprehensive, and thematic introduction to political philosophy, enabling readers to reflect critically on a variety of political issues.
- Book synopsis.
1. Great Political Theories V.1: A Comprehensive Selection Of The Crucial Ideas In Political Philosophy From The Greeks To The Enlightenment [Book]
Product Details:
As an introduction to political theory and science, this collection of writings by the great philosophers will be of close interest to general readers. it also serves as 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 separation of church and state are traced from their origins, through their development and changing patterns, to show how they guide political thinking and institutions today.
Reviews:
A fantastic collection of political theory and a great companion to my polsci course.Anonymous
2. Political Theory: An Introduction [Book]
Product Details:
This leading text provides a concise and broad-ranging introduction to the contemporary study of political theory. each chapter discusses a cluster of interrelated concepts and examines how they have been used by different thinkers and traditions and explores related debates and controversies. the fourth edition of this highly successful and accessible book has been substantially revised and updated and includes extra attention throughout to non-western approaches and international political theory.systematically covering the foundational concepts that have focused debate from aristotle, rousseau, marx and mill to the present day, this is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate courses on political thought and political philosophy. with increased discussion of the global dimensions of political thought it will appeal to an international audience, as well as to those lecturers interested in broadening their students' horizons.new to this edition:- increased coverage throughout of non-western and post-colonial approaches, with beyond the west features on islamic, buddhist, chinese, indian, african, latin american and other traditions- takes the blurring divisions between politics and international relations into account, for instance through a new chapter on security, war and world order- thinking globally boxes, and added discussions of transnationalism and cosmopolitanism- additional attention is paid to issues of identity and diversity to address contemporary political developments
Specifications:
3. The Politics Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained [Book]
Product Details:
Learn about how the world of government and power works in the politics book. – part of the fascinating big ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. learn about politics in this overview guide to the subject, great for novices looking to find out more and experts wishing to refresh their knowledge alike! the politics book brings a fresh and vibrant take on the topic through eye-catching graphics and diagrams to immerse yourself in. – the politics book is a captivating introduction to the world's greatest thinkers and their political big ideas that continue to shape our lives today, aimed at adults with an interest in the subject and students wanting to gain more of an overview. delve into the development of long-running themes, like attitudes to democracy and violence, developed by thinkers from confucius in ancient china to mahatma gandhi in 20th-century india, all through exciting text and bold graphics. – your politics questions, simply explained – this engaging overview explores the big political ideas such as capitalism, communism, and fascism, exploring their beginnings and social contexts – and the political thinkers who have made significant contributions. if you thought it was difficult to learn about governing bodies and affairs, the politics book presents key information in a clear layout. learn about the ideas of ancient and medieval philosophers and statesmen, as well as the key personalities of the 16th to the 21st centuries that have shaped political thinking, policy, and statecraft. – with millions of copies sold worldwide, the politics book is part of the award-winning big ideas series from dk. the series uses striking graphics along with engaging writing, making big topics easy to understand.
Reviews:
A brief overview over the relevant politics since our existence.luirodriguesroch-0
Expansive book on the subject. User-friendly as well. As expected, there isn't as much depth but it is very useful.CHRISTOPHER
4. Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction [Book]
Product Details:
This book introduces readers to the concepts of political philosophy – authority, democracy, freedom and its limits, justice, feminism, multiculturalism, and nationality. accessibly written and assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, it encourages the reader to think clearly and critically about the leading political questions of our time.
Specifications:
| Weight | 2.58 lb |
5. Great Political Theories V.2: A Comprehensive Selection Of The Crucial Ideas In Political Philosophy From The French Revolution To Modern Times [Book]
Product Details:
This carefully selected compilation of the significant writings of the great political philosophers, scientists, and thinkers has long been an invaluable guide to the general reader as well as to the serious student of history, political science, and government. such essential forces as revolution, idealism, and nationalism are examined in detail and expounded by their leading exponents. professor curtis has written running commentary that places the extracts and their authors in the sequence of modern history.
Reviews:
Great to familiarize myself with classic political theoryDAWN
A marvellous account of modern political thought.Anonymous
6. The New Science Of Politics: An Introduction [Book]
Product Details:
"thirty-five years ago few could have predicted that the new science of politics would be a best-seller by political theory standards. compressed within the draconian economy of the six walgreen lectures is a complete theory of man, society, and history, presented at the most profound and intellectual level. . . . voegelin's [work] stands out in bold relief from much of what has passed under the name of political science in recent decades. . . . the new science is aptly titled, for voegelin makes clear at the outset that a 'return to the specific content' of premodern political theory is out of the question. . . . the subtitle of the book, an introduction, clearly indicates that the new science of politics is an invitation to join the search for the recovery of our full humanity."—from the new foreword by dante germino "this book must be considered one of the most enlightening essays on the character of european politics that has appeared in half a century. . . . this is a book powerful and vivid enough to make agreement or disagreement with even its main thesis relatively unimportant."—times literary supplement "voegelin . . . is one of the most distinguished interpreters to americans of the non-liberal streams of european thought. . . . he brings a remarkable breadth of knowledge, and a historical imagination that ranges frequently into brilliant insights and generalizations."—francis g. wilson, american political science review "this book is beautifully constructed . . . his erudition constantly brings a startling illumination."—martin wright, international affairs "a ledestar to thinking men who seek a restoration of political science on the classic and christian basis . . . a significant accomplishment in the retheorization of our age."—anthony harrigan, christian century
Reviews:
Non revisionist , essential readingphlegmsalad
7. A Theory Of Justice: Original Edition [Book]
Product Details:
John rawls aims to express an essential part of the common core of the democratic tradition—justice as fairness—and to provide an alternative to utilitarianism, which had dominated the anglo-saxon tradition of political thought since the nineteenth century. rawls substitutes the ideal of the social contract as a more satisfactory account of the basic rights and liberties of citizens as free and equal persons. “each person,” writes rawls, “possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override.” advancing the ideas of rousseau, kant, emerson, and lincoln, rawls’s theory is as powerful today as it was when first published.though the revised edition of a theory of justice, published in 1999, is the definitive statement of rawls’s view, much of the extensive literature on his theory refers to the original. this first edition is available for scholars and serious students of rawls’s work.
Specifications:
| Weight | 1.27 lb |
Reviews:
An interesting and thought provoking bookjaneyrose9398
Intuitivt lätt, intellektuellt svår. Vilket är tjusningen med denna bok. Ett måste för den politiskt intresserade.Fred F
8. What You Should Know About Politics . . . But Don't, Fourth Edition: A Nonpartisan Guide To The Issues That Matter [Book]
Product Details:
“engaging and inspiring . . . reading this book should make you want to vote.”—barack obama in a world of sound bites, deliberate misinformation, and a political scene colored by the blue versus red partisan divide, how does the average educated american find a reliable source that’s free of political spin? but don’t breaks it all down, issue by issue, explaining who stands for what, and why—whether it’s the economy, income inequality, obamacare, foreign policy, education, immigration, or climate change. if you’re a democrat, a republican, or somewhere in between, it’s the perfect book to brush up on a single topic or read through to get a deeper understanding of the often murky world of american politics. this is an essential volume for understanding the background to the 2020 presidential election. but it is also a book that transcends the season. it’s truly for anyone who wants to know more about the perennial issues that will continue to affect our everyday lives. the fourth edition includes an introduction by martin garbus discussing the themes and issues that have come to the fore during the present presidential cycle.
Reviews:
An excellent compendium to American political debates. It is easy to read, at the same time being quite detailed and comprehensive. It is worth reading for knowledge about American politics, but it also has relevance to the same debates elsewhere. The chapters include: elections; economy; foreign policy; the military; healthcare; energy; the environment; civil liberties; culture wars; socioeconomic policy; homeland security; education; and trade. As a non-partisan guide, it is a fair, accurate and interesting overview of the issues and different sides involved.Benjamin
9. How To Think Politically: Sages, Scholars And Statesmen Whose Ideas Have Shaped The World [Book]
Product Details:
"a wonderful introduction to history's most influential scribblers."–steven pinkerwhat is truly at stake in politics? what values should politics promote? should wealth be owned privately or in common? do animals also have rights? there is no idea too radical for this global assortment of thinkers, which includes: confucius; plato; augustine; machiavelli; burke; wollstonecraft; marx; nietzsche; gandhi; qutb; arendt; nussbaum, naess and rawls. in each brief chapter, the authors paint a vivid portrait of these often prescient, always compelling political thinkers, showing how their ideas grew out of their own dramatic lives and times and evolved beyond them. this is the perfect guide to both.
10. Crises Of The Republic: Lying In Politics, Civil Disobedience On Violence, Thoughts On Politics, And Revolution [Book]
Product Details:
In this stimulating collection of studies, dr. arendt, from the standpoint of a political philosopher, views the crises of the 1960s and early '70s as challenges to the american form of government. the book begins with "lying in politics," a penetrating analysis of the pentagon papers that deals with the role of image-making and public relations in politics. "civil disobedience" examines the various opposition movements from the freedom riders to the war resisters and the segregationists. "thoughts on politics and revolution," cast in the form of an interview, contains a commentary to the author's theses in "on violence." through the connected essays, dr. arendt examines, defines, and clarifies the concerns of the american citizen of the time.–from publisher description.
Reviews:
The product is as described.nyxb8390
11. Princeton Readings In Political Thought: Essential Texts From Plato To Populism–Second Edition [Book]
Product Details:
A thoroughly updated and substantially expanded edition of an acclaimed anthology – this is a thoroughly updated and substantially expanded new edition of one of the most popular, wide-ranging, and engaging anthologies of western political thinking, one that spans from antiquity to the twenty-first century. in addition to the majority of the pieces that appeared in the original edition, this new edition features exciting new selections from more recent thinkers who address vital contemporary issues, including identity, cosmopolitanism, global justice, and populism. organized chronologically, the anthology brings together a fascinating array of writings—including essays, book excerpts, speeches, and other documents—that have indelibly shaped how politics and society are understood. each chronological section and thinker is presented with a brief, lucid introduction, making this a valuable reference as well as an essential reader. – a thoroughly updated and substantially expanded edition of an acclaimed anthology of political thought – features a wide range of thinkers, including thucydides, plato, aristotle, cicero, augustine, aquinas, christine de pizan, machiavelli, luther, calvin, hobbes, spinoza, locke, swift, hume, rousseau, adam smith, jefferson, burke, olympes de gouges, wollstonecraft, kant, hegel, bentham, mill, de tocqueville, frederick douglass, lincoln, marx, nietzsche, lenin, john dewey, gaetano mosca, roberto michels, weber, emma goldman, freud, einstein, mussolini, arendt, hayek, franklin d. roosevelt, t. h. marshall, orwell, leo strauss, de beauvoir, fanon, martin luther king jr., malcolm x, havel, fukuyama, habermas, foucault, rawls, nozick, walzer, iris marion young, martha nussbaum, peter singer, amartya sen, and jan-werner müller – includes brief introductions for each thinker
12. Politics And Vision: Continuity And Innovation In Western Political Thought – Expanded Edition [Book]
Product Details:
Politics and vision is a landmark work by one of the great thinkers of the twentieth century. this is a significantly expanded edition of one of the greatest works of modern political theory. sheldon wolin's politics and vision inspired and instructed two generations of political theorists after its appearance in 1960. substantially expanded for republication in 2004, it is both a sweeping survey of western political thought and a powerful account of contemporary predicaments of power and democracy. in lucid and compelling prose, sheldon wolin offers original, subtle, and often surprising interpretations of political theorists from plato to rawls. situating them historically while sounding their depths, he critically engages their diverse accounts of politics, theory, power, justice, citizenship, and institutions. the new chapters, which show how thinkers have grappled with the immense possibilities and dangers of modern power, are themselves a major theoretical statement. they culminate in wolin’s remarkable argument that the united states has invented a new political form, "inverted totalitarianism,“ in which economic rather than political power is dangerously dominant. in this expanded edition, the book that helped to define political theory in the late twentieth century should energize, enlighten, and provoke generations of scholars to come. wolin originally wrote politics and vision to challenge the idea that political analysis should consist simply of the neutral observation of objective reality. he argues that political thinkers must also rely on creative vision. wolin shows that great theorists have been driven to shape politics to some vision of the good that lies outside the existing political order. as he tells it, the history of theory is thus, in part, the story of changing assumptions about the good. acclaimed as a tour de force when it was first published, and a major scholarly event when the expanded edition appeared, politics and vision will instruct, inspire, and provoke for generations to come.
Reviews:
I was amazed in the 1970s when I first read this. Started re-reading this updated edition yesterday and am still amazed – at its insight and comprehensiveness that only come from deep mastery of a subject. But what I am equally amazed by today is its total lack of dogmatism. It is a classic of political philosophy in the humanist tradition.2012jeffporter
There is no better history of political theory than Wolin's "Politics and Vision."chignikdon
13. The Oxford Handbook Of Political Theory [Book]
Product Details:
Long recognized as one of the main branches of political science, political theory has in recent years burgeoned in many different directions. close textual analysis of historical texts sits alongside more analytical work on the nature and normative grounds of political values. continental and post-modern influences jostle with ones from economics, history, sociology, and the law. this handbook provides comprehensive and critical coverage of the lively and contested field of political theory, and will help set the agenda for the field for years to come. forty-five chapters by distinguished political theorists look at the state of the field, where it has been in the recent past, and where it is likely to go in future. they examine political theory's edges as well as its core, the globalizing context of the field, and the challenges presented by social, economic, and technological changes.
14. History Of Political Theory: An Introduction: Volume Ii: Modern [Book]
Product Details:
History of political theory: an introduction not only explores the great works of western political theory but demonstrates their continuing relevance. volume ii traces the origin and development of liberal political theory, and so the foundations for contemporary views. the work provides a readable, scholarly introduction to the great figures in western political theory from hobbes to marx. major theorists examined include hobbes, locke, hume, montesquieu, rousseau, burke, mill, and marx, not only major figures in the liberal tradition but liberal political theory's most important critics. theorists are examined in their historical contexts, with extensive quotations allowing them to speak for themselves. central concepts employed in their works are carefully examined, with special attention to both how they fit together to form coherent theories and how they bear on issues of contemporary concern. major concepts examined include freedom, rights, political obligation, and revolution. emphasizing depth rather than breadth, this work is an ideal introduction tool for instructors who have been searching for a text that combines careful exposition of important political theorists and clear, critical analysis.
15. The Fourth Political Theory [Book]
Product Details:
All the political systems of the modern age have been the products of three distinct ideologies: the first, and oldest, is liberal democracy; the second is marxism; and the third is fascism. the latter two have long since failed and passed out of the pages of history, and the first no longer operates as an ideology, but rather as something taken for granted. the world today finds itself on the brink of a post-political reality – one in which the values of liberalism are so deeply embedded that the average person is not aware that there is an ideology at work around him. as a result, liberalism is threatening to monopolise political discourse and drown the world in a universal sameness, destroying everything that makes the various cultures and peoples unique. according to alexander dugin, what is needed to break through this morass is a fourth ideology – one that will sift through the debris of the first three to look for elements that might be useful, but that remains innovative and unique in itself. dugin does not offer a point-by-point program for this new theory, but rather outlines the parameters within which it might develop and the issues which it must address. dugin foresees that the fourth political theory will use the tools and concepts of modernity against itself, to bring about a return of cultural diversity against commercialisation, as well as the traditional worldview of all the peoples of the world – albeit within an entirely new context. written by a scholar who is actively influencing the direction of russian geopolitical strategy today, the fourth political theory is an introduction to an idea that may well shape the course of the world's political future.alexander dugin (b. 1962) is one of the best-known writers and political commentators in post-soviet russia. in addition to the many books he has authored on political, philosophical and spiritual topics, he currently serves on the staff of moscow state university, and is the intellectual leader of the eurasia movement. for more than a decade, he has also been an advisor to vladimir putin and others in the kremlin on geopolitical matters, being a vocal advocate of a return of russian power to the global stage, to act as a counterweight to american domination.
Specifications:
Reviews:
Jestem zadowolona z bycia tej książki w formacie jakim się wgl jawi.
16. Twentieth Century Political Theory: A Reader [Book]
Product Details:
A collaboration of more than 45 thinkers who form the "canon" of contemporary political thought–from john dewey and walter benjamin to malcolm x and judith butler. twentieth century political theory fuses the needs of the more traditional course with the rapidly changing and extremely influential new approaches to the field. designed for undergraduate and graduate students, this volume includes essays by major figures like hannah arendt, simone de beauvoir, sir isaiah berlin, john dewey, w.e.b. dubois, frantz fanon, michel foucault, antonio gramsci, v.i. lenin, jurgen habermas, adolph hitler and others. its range and innovative character will assuredly make this anthology the major primary work in political theory for many years to come.
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | September 2011 |
| Length | 140 Pages |
| Dimensions | 0.3" x 7.4" x 9.7" |
17. Classics Of Modern Political Theory: Machiavelli To Mill [Book]
Product Details:
Classics of modern political theory: machiavelli to mill brings together the complete texts or substantial selections from the masterpieces of modern political theory. the most comprehensive anthology of its kind, this volume includes well-known works by hobbes, locke, rousseau, hegel, and marx, and significant contributions from spinoza, montesquieu, hume, adam smith, kant, burke, bentham, and tocqueville. a distinctive feature of this collection is the inclusion of the declaration of independence, the u.s. constitution, and numerous papers from the federalist. an extended introduction to each author's writings, provided by a renowned authority on the subject, features biographical data, philosophical commentary, and bibliographical guides. ideal for courses in political philosophy and intellectual history, as well as surveys of western civilization, this book presents influential authors and ideas that have shaped modern political thought.
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | November 1996 |
| Length | 1040 Pages |
| Dimensions | 2.0" x 6.5" x 9.2" |
18. Political Thought And History: Essays On Theory And Method [Book]
Product Details:
John pocock is arguably the most original and imaginative historian of ideas of modern times. over the past half century he has created an audience for his work which is truly global, and he has marked the way in which the history of political thought is studied as deeply and personally as any historian of the period. what in fact does it mean to write the history of a political society, and what kind of political thought is this? professor pocock emphasises both the theory and practice of political thought considered as action in history, and the political theory of historiography considered as a form of political thought. together these essays constitute a collection that any serious student of politics and intellectual history needs to possess.
Specifications:
| Language | English |
| Release Date | February 2009 |
| Length | 298 Pages |
| Dimensions | 0.6" x 5.9" x 8.9" |
19. The History Of Political Thought: A Very Short Introduction [Book]
Product Details:
Thinking about politics has tended to be historical in nature because of the comparisons and contrasts that can be drawn between past and present. different periods in politics have used the past differently. at times political thought can be said to have been drawn directly from the study ofhistory; at others, perhaps including our own time, the relationship is more indirect. this very short introduction explores the core concerns and questions in the field of the history of political thought. richard whatmore considers the history of political thought as a branch of political philosophy/political science, and examines the approaches of core theorists such as reinhartkoselleck, strauss, michel foucault, and the so-called cambridge school of quentin skinner and john pocock. assessing the current relationship between political history, theory and action, whatmore concludes with an analysis of its relevance for current politics. about the series: the very short introductions series from oxford university press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. these pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, andenthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.
Specifications:
| Weight | 0.3 lb |
20. An Introduction To Political Philosophy [Book]
Product Details:
Now revised and updated and containing several entirely new chapters, this book provides a comprehensive introduction to political philosophy. it discusses historical and contemporary figures and covers a vast range of topics and debates, including immigration, war, national and global economics, the ethical and political implications of climate change, and the persistence of racial oppression and injustice. it also presents accessible, non-technical discussions of perfectionism, utilitarianism, theories of the social contract, and the marxian tradition of social criticism. real-life examples introduce students to ways of using philosophical reflection and debates, and open up new perspectives on politics and political issues. throughout, this book challenges readers to think critically about political arguments and institutions that they might otherwise take for granted. it will be a vital and provocative resource for any student of philosophy or political science.
Specifications:
| Dimensions | 174 x 247 x 20mm | 680g |
| Publication City/Country | Cambridge, United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Edition Statement | 2nd Revised edition |
| Illustrations note | Worked examples or Exercises |
