Description
Book SynopsisA study on western political theory presenting four alternatives - aristocrat, saint, capitalist and socialist - which define the distinct strategies offered to cope with scarcities underlying violent human conflicts. For each view, it describes the problematic and applies it to democracy.
Trade ReviewProfessor Cook has achieved a bold and strikingly original framework for the study and analysis of the great traditions of political theory...with great power and insight, and with sensible and deeply informed readings of every important text. -- Curtis Johnson, Lewis and Clark College
...conceptually sound, exemplifying what more political theorists should attempt. -- Conrad Waligorski, University of Arkansas
Table of ContentsThe Problem of Social Theory and Its Recasting as Four Problematic; The Aristocrat's Problematic or Social Conflict as a Problem of Moderating Mass Wants; The Aristocrat and Democracy; The Saint's Problematic or Social Conflict as a Problem of Moderating Elite Wants; The Saint and Democracy; The Capitalist's Problematic, Social Conflict as a Problem of Enlarging Productive Powers with Private Property, Division of Labour, Income Differentials and Markets; The Capital and Democracy; The Socialist's Problematic or Human Development as a Problem of Enlarging Powers through Social Ownership, Role Rotation and Central Planning; The Socialist and Democracy.
