To truly understand the substance and value of any great philosopher’s work, students must examine political theory against the backdrop of history, the surrounding literature, and the individual theorist’s views on human nature and rational motivation. In this third edition of his classic text, Edward Portis provides students with the framework they need to fully appreciate the original texts they are reading and apply the concepts they are learning.

Fully updated since the previous edition almost a decade ago, Portis expands his coverage to include a complete chapter on Max Weber. Further, Portis strengthens his lucid introductions to the greatest theorists of Western political thought, proving them indispensable guides for both the politically engaged citizen and the practicing social scientist. He also provides suggestions, updated for this edition, for further reading in political theory.

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Preface to the First Edition
Preface to the Second Edition
Preface to the Third Edition

1. Great Books and Political Science
Why Should Political Scientists Read the Classics?
How Should Political Scientists Read the Classics?
What Should Political Scientists Look for in the Classics?
The Structure of the Following Chapters
A Brief Guide to the Literature

2. Plato and the Politics of Beauty
The Historical Plato
Human Nature and Rational Motivation
The Motivational Basis of Social Solidarity
The Function and Organization of Authority
Plato’s General Theory of Political Change and Stability
The Politics of Beauty
A Brief Guide to the Literature

3. Aristotle and the Politics of Honor
The Historical Aristotle
Human Nature and Rational Motivation
The Motivational Basis of Social Solidarity
The Function and Organization of Authority
Aristotle’s General Theory of Political Change and Stability
The Politics of Honor
A Brief Guide to the Literature

4. St. Augustine and the Politics of Sin
The Historical St. Augustine
Human Nature and Rational Motivation
The Motivational Basis of Social Solidarity
The Function and Organization of Authority
St. Augustine’s General Theory of Political Change and Stability
The Politics of Sin
A Brief Guide to the Literature

5. St. Thomas Aquinas and the Politics of Salvation
The Historical St. Thomas Aquinas
Human Nature and Rational Motivation
The Motivational Basis of Social Solidarity
The Function and Organization of Authority
Aquinas’s General Theory of Political Change and Stability
The Politics of Salvation
A Brief Guide to the Literature

6. Machiavelli and the Politics of Glory
The Historical Machiavelli
Human Nature and Rational Motivation
The Motivational Basis of Social Solidarity
The Function and Organization of Authority
Machiavelli’s General Theory of Political Change and Stability
The Politics of Glory
A Brief Guide to the Literature

7. Hobbes and the Politics of Fear
The Historical Hobbes
Human Nature and Rational Motivation
The Motivational Basis of Social Solidarity
The Function and Organization of Authority
Hobbes’s General Theory of Political Change and Stability
The Politics of Fear
A Brief Guide to the Literature

8. Locke and the Politics of Rights
The Historical Locke
Human Nature and Rational Motivation
The Motivational Basis of Social Solidarity
The Function and Organization of Authority
Locke’s General Theory of Political Change and Stability
The Politics of Rights
A Brief Guide to the Literature

9. Rousseau and the Politics of Citizenship
The Historical Rousseau
Human Nature and Rational Motivation
The Motivational Basis of Social Solidarity
The Function and Organization of Authority
Rousseau’s General Theory of Political Change and Stability
The Politics of Citizenship
A Brief Guide to the Literature

10. Mill and the Politics of Character
The Historical Mill
Human Nature and Rational Motivation
The Motivational Basis of Social Solidarity
The Function and Organization of Authority
Mill’s General Theory of Political Change and Stability
The Politics of Character
A Brief Guide to the Literature

11. Marx and the Politics of History
The Historical Marx
Human Nature and Rational Motivation
The Motivational Basis of Social Solidarity
The Function and Organization of Authority
Marx’s General Theory of Political Change and Stability
The Politics of History
A Brief Guide to the Literature

12. Weber and the Politics of Culture
The Historical Weber
Human Nature and Rational Motivation
The Motivational Basis of Social Solidarity
The Function and Organization of Authority
Weber’s General Theory of Political Change and Stability
The Politics of Culture
A Brief Guide to the Literature

13. Political Theory and Politics
The Tension between Political Theory and Politics
Political Theory and Constitutional Principles
Political Theory, Constitutional Principles, and Politics

Selected Bibliography
Index

Edward Bryan Portis is currently professor emeritus at Texas A&M University. He has previously taught at the University of Georgia, Vanderbilt University, and Fisk University, as well as Salford University in Great Britain. In addition to Reconstructing the Classics, he is the author of Max Weber and Political Commitment, and the editor of Political Theory and Partisan Politics and Handbook of Political Theory and Policy Science. He has participated in many professional activities, including serving as both an editor and book review editor of The Journal of Politics.