Political theory: a conceptual analysis

THIS BOOK differs from conventional approaches to the problems of po litical theory in several important respects: It is not a chronological record of political thinkers and political movements; it does not suppose that the study of political theory necessarily involves or requires a parallel con sideration of political events and historical institutions; it is written from the viewpoint of analytic philosophy; and it construes political theory as an activity whose purpose is the clarification and explication of political concepts.

By far the most commonplace approach to the study of political theory is chronological. Political theorists evidently suppose that the most effec tive introduction to their discipline is through a study of the political writings of classical figures. It is assumed that political ideas may be grasped only as far as these are seen as part of an intellectual tradition, and that apart from this tradition, no good sense can be made of them. Thus, the study of Plato's political thought is said to be a prerequisite to understanding Aristotle, and the study of Aristotle, a necessary con dition for understanding Hegel.