The Politics Book

April 15, 2013

How do people choose their leaders and government? What schools of thought have shaped our expectations of ruling regimes and defined the values of different cultures? This book attempts to provide a broad overview of theories and concepts from around the world and across the ages. More than 100 political philosophers, among them Confucius, Plato, Machiavelli, Mary Wollstonecraft, Karl Marx, Ito Hirobumi, Emiliano Zapata, Jomo Kenyatta, and Mao Zedong, are covered in seven chronological sections ranging from "Ancient Political Thought" to "Postwar Politics." Entries are arranged within the sections in chronological order. Sections start with an introduction to the historical period covered, including a time line of philosophers and historic events, providing background and context for the various theories examined. The book is heavily illustrated with flow charts, pictures of important individuals, events, propaganda posters, advertisements, and political cartoons that support the explanations of the different political theories. Each entry focuses on a single notable individual's beliefs and contains sidebars summarizing that individual's ideology, focus, and historical context. Entries range from one to four pages in length each, with longer pieces listing the key works of the theorist, encouraging further reading. The basic tenets of the different philosophies are presented using simple, clear terminology. A directory of biographies provides brief information on 37 additional figures, among them Naser al-Din Shah Qajar, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Fidel Castro. VERDICT This book serves as a helpful introduction to the thoughts and theories that have influenced leaders and policy throughout world history. The bright, bold colors and illustrations help make the subject approachable. A good resource for middle and high school students who are interested in political science and history.--Susanne Caro, Univ. of Montana Lib., Missoula

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