Product Description

This book looks at the central problems involved in political philosophy and the various past attempts to solve these problems. What would life be like without the state, for example? What justifies the state? Who should rule? How much liberty should the citizen enjoy? How should property justly be distributed? Jonathan Wolff looks at these stimulating questions in the light of works like Plato's "Republic", Hobbes' "Leviathan", Locke's "Two Treatises of Government", Rousseau's "Social Contract", Mill's "On Liberty", Marx's "Economic and Philosophical Manuscripts", and Rauls' "Theory of Justice", and considers the debates which have developed between various philosophers. In this final chapter, he also considers more recent issues, particularly that of feminist political theory.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #261588 in Books
• Published on: 1996-02-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

Review
superb ... the best introduction to political philosophy that I've ever seen Dr Dudley Knowles, Department of Philosophy, Glasgow University He writes with an enviable clarity and even-handedness. Alan Ryan 'This book is the ideal introduction to the subject and should be widely read. It is a book I wish I had written.' Political Studies

Alan Ryan
"He writes with an enviable clarity and even-handedness."

Dr Dudley Knowles, Department of Philosophy, Glasgow University
"superb ... the best introduction to political philosophy that I've ever seen"

Customer Reviews

The best introduction to political philosophy.
As a philosophy graduate I can without hesitation recommend this book as the finest introduction to political philosophy. Covering all the major areas of comtemporary debate, Wolff offers an exceptionally clear account of the issues and arguments.
Beginning which the fundamental question of why there should be a state at all, he moves towards the crucial debates that informed most 20th century politics: the distribution of goods in society and the level of personal freedom each of us should enjoy.
The book also offers clear expositions of past masters of political philosophy, from Plato through Hobbes and Locke, to Mill and Marx. To read this book is to be given a crash course in the history of political philosophy, as well as the perfect preface to studying the texts themselves.
This book is ideal for a student just beginning their studies,or as a refresher course, but would be just as suitable for the general reader seeking a broad account of comtemporary and historical political thought.

Easy to read short intro to political philosophy
Jonathon Wolff has written an excellent and easy to digest intro to political philosophy. It's not particularly long and doesn't provide an in depth look at many topics. But it covers off the basics and sets out the key ideas and people. He has also used a semi chronological layout which helps give a sense of the way thought has developed over time. A good resource for a student, but certainly readable enough for someone taking a casual interest in the subject area.

Very accessible and honestly engaging


As an upper sixth-form student hoping to pursue a partial degree in philosophy, this book has been an excellent introduction to the central issues of political philosophy.

Lucid, impartial text that avoids dry language and communicates ideas clearly and enjoyably make this book a highly recommended pick.