The Foundations of Modern Political Thought, Vol. 1: The Renaissance

Skinner, Quentin

ISBN 10: 0521293375 / ISBN 13: 9780521293372

Published by Cambridge University Press, 1978

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About the book
A two-volume study of political thought from the late thirteenth to the end of the sixteenth century, the decisive period of transition from medieval to modern political theory. The work is intended to be both an introduction to the period for students, and a presentation and justification of a particular approach to the interpretation of historical texts. Quentin Skinner gives an outline account of all the principal texts of the period, discussing in turn the chief political writings of Dante, Marsiglio, Bartolus, Machiavelli, Erasmus and more, Luther and Calvin, Bodin and the Calvinist revolutionaries. But he also examines a very large number of lesser writers in order to explain the general social and intellectual context in which these leading theorists worked. He thus presents the history not as a procession of 'classic texts' but are more readily intelligible. He traces by this means the gradual emergence of the vocabulary of modern political thought, and in particular the crucial concept of the State.

Seller Inventory # 2092

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The Foundations of Modern Political Thought, Vol. 1: The Renaissance
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication Date: 1978
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0521293375
• ISBN 13: 9780521293372
• Binding: Soft cover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dimensions: 1.91W x 15.22H x 22.91D centimeters 1.91 centimeters width by 15.22 centimeters height by 22.91 centimeters depth
• Weight: 0.522 kilograms
• Seller catalogs:
  • Global History
  • Political History

About this title

Synopsis

A two-volume study of political thought from the late thirteenth to the end of the sixteenth century, the decisive period of transition from medieval to modern political theory. The work is intended to be both an introduction to the period for students, and a presentation and justification of a particular approach to the interpretation of historical texts. Quentin Skinner gives an outline account of all the principal texts of the period, discussing in turn the chief political writings of Dante, Marsiglio, Bartolus, Machiavelli, Erasmus and more, Luther and Calvin, Bodin and the Calvinist revolutionaries. But he also examines a very large number of lesser writers in order to explain the general social and intellectual context in which these leading theorists worked. He thus presents the history not as a procession of 'classic texts' but are more readily intelligible. He traces by this means the gradual emergence of the vocabulary of modern political thought, and in particular the crucial concept of the State.

Book Description

A two-volume study of political thought from the late 13th to the end of the 16th century, the decisive period of transition from medieval to modern political theory. The work is intended to be an introduction to the period as well as a presentation and justification of a particular approach to the interpretation of historical texts.