Politics : a very short introduction / Kenneth Minogue

Includes bibliographical references and index

Why despots don't belong in politics -- The classical Greeks: how to be a citizen -- The Romans: the real meaning of patriotism -- Christianity and the rise of the individual -- Constructing the modern state -- How to analyse a modern society -- Relations between states: how to balance power -- The experience of politics I: how to be an activist -- The experience of politics II: parties and doctrines -- The experience of politics III: justice, freedom and democracy -- Studying politics scientifically -- Ideology challenges politics -- Can politics survive the twenty-first century?

In this introduction, Kenneth Minogue discusses the development of politics from the ancient world to the twentieth century. He considers the evolution of different systems, ideological aspects and the future of political science.