Everything Baruch Spinoza (1632-77) said seems to preclude finding anything meaningful about politics in his work, admits Balibar (philosophy, U. of Paris-X). Still, or perhaps therefore, he takes on the challenge of introducing the Dutch philosopher's thought through his politics. Among the approaches he finds are the crisis of the Dutch Republic, the legacy of theocracy, the body politic, sociability, and power and freedom. Spinoza et la politique was published in 1985 by Presses Universitaries de France; Snow's translation first appeared in 1998. Annotation ©2009 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
WithHobbes and Locke, Spinoza is arguably one of the most importantpolitical philosophers of the modern era, a premier theoretician ofdemocracy and mass politics. In this revised and augmented Englishtranslation of his 1985 classic, Spinoza et la Politique,Etienne Balibar presents a synoptic account of Spinoza's major works,admirably demonstrating relevance to his contemporary political life.
Balibarcarefully situates Spinoza's major treatises in the period in whichthey were written. In successive chapters, he examines the politicalsituation in the United Provinces during Spinoza's lifetime, Spinoza'sown religious and ideological associations, the concept of democracydeveloped in the Theologico-Political Treatise, the theory of the state advanced in the Political Treatise and the anthropological basis for politics established in the Ethics.
A rich analysis of Spinoza's key works within the context of his political, religious and ideological life.
With Hobbes and Locke, Spinoza is arguably one of the most important political philosophers of the modern era, a premier theoretician of democracy and mass politics. In this revised and augmented English translation of his 1985 classic,
Spinoza et la Politique, Etienne Balibar presents a synoptic account of Spinozas major works, admirably demonstrating relevance to his contemporary political life.
Balibar carefully situates Spinozas major treatises in the period in which they were written. In successive chapters, he examines the political situation in the United Provinces during Spinozas lifetime, Spinozas own religious and ideological associations, the concept of democracy developed in the
Theologico-Political Treatise, the theory of the state advanced in the
Political Treatise and the anthropological basis for politics established in the
Ethics.
