I understand that the book is long enough as it is and that covering the traditions, ideas and political systems of all the cultures on the world is practically impossible, but the excuse he uses is so derogative and lazy that it is kind of disgusting. However, the part that immediately follows, the first part of Book Two is when he shines, since concerning that period following the development of democratic thought only makes sense, the political systems discussed there are closer to home and therefore easier to discuss regardless of which way in the current a particular thinker prefers. Each chapter can be read on its own. Please try againSorry, we failed to record your vote.
It is a rich and wonderful book that I heartily recommend to anyone interest in classical approaches to political theory. It’ll be a couple of months of well spent.
It obviously does have flaws though, or else I wouldn't have given it such a low rating.
But his analysis of the works—going beyond just description—is the real contribution of this two volume set.
One should not expect perfect objectivity or a full fleshing out of the theoretical nuances of each of the many figures that Ryan covers in this work.
He does a nice job of introducing us to the variety of political thinkers over time. Essential reading, even - or especially - if it takes the equivalent of an academic quarter to get through.
This book is a successor to Sabine (although I have heard that the Sabine book is being updated). It is simultaneously grasping the whole scale of the core problems in political philosophy, by no means lacking in information and wielding the academic discourse it was written in beautifully.5/5: One can without too much doubt say that Ryan's book is one of the most copious, comprehensive and well-presented books on political philosophy that has been written. The style is easy though very occasionally Mr. Ryan plops a stone into the still waters by resorting to arcane vocabulary (well, at least to me) that causes pauses in the reading with a scrabble for the dictionary.
Those who had the right to carry out politics were free male property owner citizens.
Not very happy with my purchase. I find books like this to be an invaluable road-map for later reading, so that anyone with interest in learning more knows just where to look.
The United States is struggling to find an answer to this question as we speak. It's only major shortcoming is that Ryan's use of the framework of modern liberalism unduly determines what he focuses on and how he does so. I would strongly recommend it.On Politics: A History of Political Thought From Herodotus to the PresentTalk about bad timing: Ryan has obviously been writing this book for years now, and had it been released in, say, 2007, it would have seemed perfectly sensible. Ryan notes that (page xxiii): “This is a book about the answers that historians, philosophers, theologians, practicing politician and would be revolutionaries have given to one question. Slaves, foreigners and Children did not have the right to take part in the rule of the city-states. The author's topics are fascinating. Poor binding. Modern Institutions and Our Attitudes towards Them Emerged Gradually and Fitfully a. Hegel: philosophy is essentially retrospective b. Hobbes produced flashes of insight c. Modern state’s debt to the papacy 2. In this extraordinary book Alan Ryan engages with the great thinkers of the past to show us how vividly their ideas speak to us in today's uncertain world. He does a nice job of introducing us to the variety of political thinkers over time. I am now approaching the end of Book I in this doorstop of a tome and remain a keen reader, which can only reflect well on Mr. Ryan’s magnum opus.
A History of Political Thought: From Antiquity to the Present He presents each political thinker in historical perspective while occasionally subjecting such thinker to other times in history.
Some of these items are dispatched sooner than the others.This shopping feature will continue to load items when the Enter key is pressed. One should not expect perfect objectivity or a full fleshing out of the theoretical nuances of each of the many figurAn extremely well-composed survey of western political theory, written by an accomplished political theorist. On Politics: A History of Political Thought From Herodotus to the Present He was Professor of Politics at Princeton from 1988 to 1996, when he returned to Oxford to become Warden of New College and Professor of Political Theory until his retirement in 2009.
Ryan notes that (page xxiii): “This is a book about the answers that historians, philosopheThis is a major work—and a welcome one.
This is a major work—and a welcome one. Although there are no huge revelations here for anyone familiar with Western Civ, it makes for a comfortable rather than a pedantic reunion.
ALAN RYAN was born in London in 1940 and taught for many years at Oxford, where he was a Fellow of New College and Reader in Politics.
ALAN RYAN: ON POLITICS, BOOK TWO STUDY GUIDE, 2014 Steven Alan Samson PREFACE TO BOOK TWO Outline A. But take note; at the very least you’ll need the Oxford Concise as the more modern lightweight dictionaries won’t do.