Description
This clear exposition of Greek political thought offers a comprehensive exploration of the works of Plato and Aristotle, providing insights into the sources of state power, the nature of political organisation, the aims of the state, citizenship, justice, law and related concepts. In addition to point-by-point discussions of Plato’s Republic and Aristotle’s Politics, the survey presents critical examinations of several of Plato’s other dialogues along with Aristotle’s Ethics. Further, it considers the origin of these ideas in the Greek political experience and in the contributions of other Greek theorists, including Heraclitus, Pythagoras, the Cyrenaics and the Encyclopaedists. Epilogues also discuss the influence of Greek political ideas on such thinkers as Aquinas, Marsilio of Padua, Machiavelli, Spinoza, Hobbes, Rousseau and Hegel.