The primary purpose of this textbook is to introduce students to important writings in political thought. Each chapter contains a five- or six-page introductory essay explaining the basic issue of each topic, followed by 12 or so pages of extracts drawn from writings from classical times to the 20th century. Each extract has a brief contextual introduction and each chapter ends with a topic bibliography, and some questions for reflection and discussion. The authors are experienced teachers of introductory courses in political thought, and the book reflects their knowledge both of the subject and the difficulties encountered by students coming to it for the first time.