The revised edition of this highly successful text provides a clear and accessible introduction to some of the most important questions of political philosophy. Organized around major issues, Wolff provides the structure that beginners need, while also introducing some distinctive ideas of his own.
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"A lucid and enviably clear introduction to some of the most important questions of political philosophy...The book is written in a style that manages to be chatty without being irritating, something not often achieved by professional philosophers aspiring to write for a general or student audience."--Matt Matravers, International Journal of Philosophical Studies
About the Author
Jonathan Wolff is Professor of Philosophy at University College London.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
96 of 97 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
As a philosophy graduate I can without hesitation recommend this book as the finest introduction to political philosophy. Covering all the major areas of comtemporary debate, Wolff offers an exceptionally clear account of the issues and arguments.
Beginning which the fundamental question of why there should be a state at all, he moves towards the crucial debates that informed most 20th century politics: the distribution of goods in society and the level of personal freedom each of us should enjoy.
The book also offers clear expositions of past masters of political philosophy, from Plato through Hobbes and Locke, to Mill and Marx. To read this book is to be given a crash course in the history of political philosophy, as well as the perfect preface to studying the texts themselves.
This book is ideal for a student just beginning their studies,or as a refresher course, but would be just as suitable for the general reader seeking a broad account of comtemporary and historical political thought.
Beginning which the fundamental question of why there should be a state at all, he moves towards the crucial debates that informed most 20th century politics: the distribution of goods in society and the level of personal freedom each of us should enjoy.
The book also offers clear expositions of past masters of political philosophy, from Plato through Hobbes and Locke, to Mill and Marx. To read this book is to be given a crash course in the history of political philosophy, as well as the perfect preface to studying the texts themselves.
This book is ideal for a student just beginning their studies,or as a refresher course, but would be just as suitable for the general reader seeking a broad account of comtemporary and historical political thought.
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Bruno
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
This is probably the best introduction available, being lucid and succinct, it also takes just the right approach to the subject for the beginner. Instead of a chapter by chapter guide to the main thinkers or theories, Wolff cleverly structures the book in such a way that the student is gently coaxed into exploring the fundamental questions of political philosophy for himself. The author notes at the beginning that it is sometimes said that 'who gets what?' and 'who says so?' are the only two questions of importance in the subject. Whilst denying this to be entirely the case, Wolff puts these questions firmly into intial context by asking why we need the state at all and then proceeds to ask if we do need the state, who indeed should govern it? He then explores the issue of the distribution of goods before returning to the 'who says who gets what?' and by the end of the book the reader should be able to explore that question through the lenses of the competing theories of today, such as feminism or communitarianism.
I was lucky enough to have the author as one of my lecturers at university and, indeed, to take my tutorials in political philosophy in my final year. As a working class student with little self-esteem and who was failing abjectly to mix within the rarefied air of an elite university, Mr Wolff admirably strived to boost my confidence and his tutorials (and lectures) were a model of patience and clarity. This book is imbubed with these qualities throughout and thus can't be recommended highly enough. Whether you are an a-level student or a 1st year undergrad, this book will have you asking the right questions and position you to look in more detail at the major theories.
I was lucky enough to have the author as one of my lecturers at university and, indeed, to take my tutorials in political philosophy in my final year. As a working class student with little self-esteem and who was failing abjectly to mix within the rarefied air of an elite university, Mr Wolff admirably strived to boost my confidence and his tutorials (and lectures) were a model of patience and clarity. This book is imbubed with these qualities throughout and thus can't be recommended highly enough. Whether you are an a-level student or a 1st year undergrad, this book will have you asking the right questions and position you to look in more detail at the major theories.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
By AmazonUser
Format:Paperback
Jonathon Wolff has written an excellent and easy to digest intro to political philosophy. It's not particularly long and doesn't provide an in depth look at many topics. But it covers off the basics and sets out the key ideas and people. He has also used a semi chronological layout which helps give a sense of the way thought has developed over time. A good resource for a student, but certainly readable enough for someone taking a casual interest in the subject area.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
a course book so had to be aquired fast, i shall use this site for more course material and i'll recommend it to others
Published 2 months ago by Mr A J Bird
5.0 out of 5 stars
A brilliant introduction
Jonathan Wolff's introduction to political philosophy is by far the superior of all within its kind. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Liam
5.0 out of 5 stars
So usefull
This book has really good info on political philosophy and was a lifesaver for me. Attempting to actually read all of Hobbes and Rousseau in the time I had was impossible, but this... Read more
Published 5 months ago by the cook
5.0 out of 5 stars
Elegant, balanced, and refreshing
Reading a political philosopher is a refreshing contrast from the bogus certitudes of politicians. Wolff considers key topics such as the state, democracy, liberty, and justice,... Read more
Published 11 months ago by anozama
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent
This is a brilliant book by Wolff! He writes in a very logical and easy to follow way, explaining major concepts (often complicated) in a very accessible way. Read more
Published 18 months ago by DominicJC
5.0 out of 5 stars
the best introduction to political philosophy
It is now deservedly established as the best introduction to political philosophy. It is concise, rich and inspiring as it would make one to follow the ideas discussed further. Read more
Published 20 months ago by S. MOHAMADI
5.0 out of 5 stars
Philosophy study
My daughter read this book from a library, but it is so good it is helping with her philosophy degree at Oxford
Published on 4 Mar 2011 by N. Hunt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fantastic bite sized introduction to a daunting subject.
This is the first book I have read about political philosophy, I was looking for a grounding in some basics without getting lost in the potentially overwhelming subject... Read more
Published on 23 Jan 2011 by R. Cutts
4.0 out of 5 stars
Easy to follow but very basic
Very straighforward and easy to follow the arguments are set out very clearly with counter arguments, however the book is only a very very basic introduction and doesn't cover a... Read more
Published on 26 April 2010 by B. Oliveira
5.0 out of 5 stars
Short and very comprehensible introduction
This is the perfect introductory book for those who can't be bothered to study in depth the massive, and (often) dull political philosophy classics by Penguin editions (you know,... Read more
Published on 14 May 2009 by Yannis Theocharis
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