Political Theory and International Affairs: Hans J. Morgenthau on Aristotle's The Politics

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Hans J. Morgenthau is primarily considered a theorist of power politics, often associated with the "six principles of realism" and "the national interest." This book sheds a new light on the theorist by digging into his archives to show his wide-ranging views on politics. These selected lectures demonstrate the broad set of political themes that were important to Morgenthau and his ability to engage classical political philosophy in a contemporary setting. In contrast to his reputation in the field of international relations, this book reveals a scholar who drew on Aristotelian insights to understand the politics of the Mafia in New York City, regime change in Latin America, and the foreign policy of the United States. Based on Aristotle's The Politics, these lectures discuss a wide spectrum of history and theory in order to examine the realm of politics. This is the only published collection of seminars from Morgenthau, revealing him as both a teacher and a thinker. Topics include: Equality to Freedom; Ethics and Politics; Justice and Revolution.

Reviews

"[A] very accessible volume for those looking for a supplementary introduction to the relevance of Aristotle's Politics, and a useful insight into the teaching style of Morgenthau for those more interested in the man and his intellectual heritage."-Cooperation and Conflict
[A] very accessible volume for those looking for a supplementary introduction to the relevance of Aristotle's Politics, and a useful insight into the teaching style of Morgenthau for those more interested in the man and his intellectual heritage.-Cooperation and Conflict
This volume is based on Hans Morgenthau's graduate-level seminars on Aristotle's The Politics, which he conducted between 1970 and 1973 at the New School of Social Research in New York City....Morgenthau is best known as the theorist of power politics and is regarded as a pillar of the realist theory, the dominant theory of international relations in the US. This book reveals another side of Morgenthau's talents. It is the unique selection of his lectures, convincingly confirming Morgenthau's impressive skills both as an instructor and philosopher. Morgenthau uses Aristotelian concepts to examine a number of urgent current issues, such as US foreign policy, communism and religion, social and political problems in Latin America, ethics and politics, law and government, justice and revolution, politics and political science, power, interests, and the common good. Essential. Students of politics and philosophy. Undergraduate and above.-Choice
"This volume is based on Hans Morgenthau's graduate-level seminars on Aristotle's The Politics, which he conducted between 1970 and 1973 at the New School of Social Research in New York City....Morgenthau is best known as the theorist of power politics and is regarded as a pillar of the realist theory, the dominant theory of international relations in the US. This book reveals another side of Morgenthau's talents. It is the unique selection of his lectures, convincingly confirming Morgenthau's impressive skills both as an instructor and philosopher. Morgenthau uses Aristotelian concepts to examine a number of urgent current issues, such as US foreign policy, communism and religion, social and political problems in Latin America, ethics and politics, law and government, justice and revolution, politics and political science, power, interests, and the common good. Essential. Students of politics and philosophy. Undergraduate and above."-Choice

Author Bio

ANTHONY F. LANG JR. is Lecturer in the School of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews. He has been an Assistant Professor in departments of Political Science at the American University in Cairo and Albright College. He has also served as program officer at the Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs in New York City.