Encyclopedia of Political Theory

In discussing a topic, political science lecturers and course textbooks often toss out the name of a theorist or make a sideways reference to a particular theory and move on, as if assuming their student audience possesses the necessary background to appreciate and integrate the reference. However, academic librarians can tell you this is usually far from the case. Students often approach them seeking a source to provide a quick overview of a particular theory or theorist with just the basicsùthe ôwho, what, where, how, and why,ö if you will. And librarians often find it difficult to guide these students to a quick, one-stop source. In response, SAGE Reference presents the three-volume Encyclopedia of Political Theory, available in both print and electronic formats.This work is designed to serve as a reference source for anyone interested in the roots of contemporary political theory. Drawing together a team of international scholars, it examines the global landscape of all the key theories and the theorists behind them, presenting them in the context needed to understand their strengths and weaknesses. In addition to interpretations of long-established theories, it also offers essays on cutting-edge research as one might find in a handbook. And, like an unabridged dictionary, it provides concise, to-the-point definitions of key concepts, ideas, schools, and figures. Coverage will include Ancient Theory, Medieval Theory, Early Modern Theory, the Enlightenment, Modern Theory, Constitutionalism, Liberalism, Critical Theory, Continental Theory, Empirical Theory, and Comparative Political Thought.