Placeholder text

Go to cart

World History of Ancient Political Thought

By Antony Black

World History of Ancient Political Thought Law

World History of Ancient Political Thought

0 - Default Title
Description
This book examines the political thought of China, Greece, Israel, Rome, India, Iran, Egypt, Mesopotamia, and also early Christianity, from prehistory to c. 200 CE. Each of these had its own priorities, based on a religious and philosophical perspective. This led to different ideas about who should govern, how to govern, and what government was for.In most cultures, sacred monarchy was the norm, but this ranged from absolute to conditional authority. 'The people' were recipients of royal (and divine) beneficence. Justice, the rule of law and meritocracy were generally regarded as fundamental. In Greece and Rome, democracy and liberty were born, while in Israel the polity was based on covenant and the law. Confucius taught humaneness, Mozi and Christianity taught universal love; Kautilya and the Chinese 'Legalists' believed in realpolitik and an authoritarian state. The conflict between might and right was resolved in many different ways.Chinese, Greek and Indian thinkers reflected on the origin and purposes of the state. Status and class were embedded in Indian and Chinese thought, the nation in Israelite thought. The Stoics and Cicero, on the other hand, saw humanity as a single unit. Political philosophy, using logic, evidence and dialectic, was invented in China and Greece, statecraft in China and India, political science in Greece. Plato and Aristotle, followed by Polybius and Cicero, started 'western' political philosophy.This book covers political philosophy, religious ideology, constitutional theory, social ethics, official and popular political culture.
Product details
Binding:
Paperback
Number of Pages:
278
Release Date:
2016-12-27
Publication Date:
2016-12-01
Publisher:
Oxford University Press (UK)
Languages:
Original: English
ISBN10:
0198790686
ISBN13:
9780198790686
GPSR Manufacturer Reference:
[email protected]
Weight:
427 g
Height:
156 cm
Width:
234 cm
Thickness:
15 cm
Buy on Amazon
Currently sold out