The Pure Theory of Politics

by Bertrand de Jouvenel

Overview

This is the final volume in Jouvenel’s magnum opus, the trilogy that begins with On Power, moves to Sovereignty, and concludes with The Pure Theory of Politics. In this volume, Bertrand de Jouvenel proposes to remedy a serious deficiency in political science: “the lack of agreement on first principles, or ‘elements.’” The author’s concern is with political processes as they actually exist, not as they are conjectured to be in hypothetical models.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780865972650
Publisher:	Liberty Fund, Incorporated
Publication date:	06/01/2000
Pages:	309
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.75(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

Foreword to the Liberty Fund Edition ix Preface xv Part I Approach: Politics as History
1 Configuration and Dynamics 3
2 Wisdom and Activity: The Pseudo-Alcibiades 18
3 On the Nature of Political Science 37 Part II Setting: Ego in Otherdom
1 Of Man 57
2 Home 64
3 Otherdom 72 Part III Action: Instigation and Response
1 Instigation 91
2 Response 109 Part IV Authority: “Potestas” and “Potentia”
1 On Being Heard 129
2 The Law of Conservative Exclusion 143
3 Place and Face 155 Part v Decision
1 The People 171
2 The Committee, I (Judicial or Political?) 192
3 The Committee, II (Foresight, Values and Pressures) 206 Part VI Attitudes
1 Attention and Intention 219
2 The Team against the Committee 228
3 The Manners of Politics 242 Addendum: The Myth of the Solution 265 Conclusion 277 Index 279