The foundations of modern political thought. Volume 2, The age of reformation / Quentin Skinner.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Skinner, Quentin, author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political science--History.

Political science.

Political science--Philosophy--History.

Political science--Theories.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (vi, 405 pages) : digital, PDF file(s).

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Cambridge : Cambridge University Press, 1978.

Summary:

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. We are given an insight into the actual processes of the formation of ideologies and into some of the linkages between political theory and practice. Professor Skinner has been awarded the Balzan Prize Life Time Achievement Award for Political Thought, History and Theory. Full details of this award can be found at http://www.balzan.it/News_eng.aspx?ID=2474

Contents:

Cover

Frontmatter

Contents

ABSOLUTISM AND THE LUTHERAN REFORMATION

The principles of Lutheranism

The theological premises

The political implications

The forerunners of Lutheranism

The insufficiency of man

The Church's shortcomings

The Church's powers: the theological debate

The Church's powers: the lay revolt

The spread of Lutheranism

The early propagandists

The defection of the radicals

The role of the secular authorities

The enforcement of the reformation

Further Reading

CONSTITUTIONALISM AND THE COUNTER REFORMATION

The background of constitutionalism

The conciliarist tradition

The legal tradition

The revival of Thomism

The Thomists and their enemies

The theory of the Church

The theory of political society

The reply to the heretics

The limits of constitutionalism

The radical perspective

The absolutist perspective

CALVINISM AND THE THEORY OF REVOLUTION

The duty to resist

The development of Lutheran radicalism

The Lutheran influence on Calvinism

The development of Calvinist radicalism

The context of the Huguenot revolution

The prospect of toleration

The growth of absolutism

The reassertion of constitutionalism

Montaigne and stoicism

Bodin and absolutism

The right to resist

The rejection of popular revolution

The appeal to positive law

The appeal to natural law

The defence of popular revolution

Conclusion

Bibliography of primary sources

Bibliography of secondary sources

Index.

Notes:

Title from publisher's bibliographic system (viewed on 05 Oct 2015).

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

1-139-92702-7

1-139-92986-0

0-511-81789-4

OCLC:

927198891