The great alternatives of social thought : aristocrat, saint, capitalist, socialist

Author(s)

Bibliographic Information

The great alternatives of social thought : aristocrat, saint, capitalist, socialist

Terrence E. Cook

Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, c1991

  • : pbk

Available at  / 13 libraries

Search this Book/Journal

Note

Includes bibliographical references (p. 277-293) and index

Description and Table of Contents

Description

In an engaging and erudite style, this book takes the reader to the heart of western political theory. Like the cardinal points of a compass, the four alternatives that Cook presents-aristocrat, saint, capitalist, socialist-define the distinct strategies offered to cope with scarcities underlying violent human conflicts, for these core commitments dominate their contrasting economics and politics. Throughout, Cook evidences a detailed knowledge of many authors and themes in classical and modern political thinking. Resisting the temptation to regard the problematic as 'ideal types' from which to embellish or criticize, he blends an objective presentation of each view with penetrating insights and parallels. To each alternative, he applies the presumptions of rule and authority, especially mediated by expectations of democracy.

Table of Contents

  • The 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.

by "Nielsen BookData"

Details

Page Top