{"product_id":"the-birth-of-politics-eight-greek-and-roman-political-ideas-and-why-they-matter-9780691173092","title":"The Birth of Politics: Eight Greek and Roman Political Ideas and Why They Matter","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA lively and accessible introduction to the Greek and Roman origins of our political ideas\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Birth of Politics\u003c\/i\u003e, Melissa Lane introduces the reader to the foundations of Western political thought, from the Greeks, who invented democracy, to the Romans, who created a republic and then transformed it into an empire. Tracing the origins of our political concepts from Socrates to Plutarch to Cicero, Lane reminds us that the birth of politics was a story as much of individuals as ideas. Scouring the speeches of lawyers alongside the speculations of philosophers, and the reflections of ex-slaves next to the popular comedies and tragedies of the Greek and Roman stages, this book brings ancient ideas to life in unexpected ways. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLane shows how the Greeks and Romans defined politics with distinctive concepts, vocabulary, and practices--all of which continue to influence politics and political aspirations around the world today. She focuses on eight political ideas from the Greco-Roman world that are especially influential today: justice, virtue, constitution, democracy, citizenship, cosmopolitanism, republic, and sovereignty. Lane also describes how the ancient formulations of these ideas often challenge widely held modern assumptions--for example, that it is possible to have political equality despite great economic inequality, or that political regimes can be indifferent to the moral character of their citizens. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA stimulating introduction to the origins of our political ideas and ideals, \u003ci\u003eThe Birth of Politics\u003c\/i\u003e demonstrates how much we still have to learn from the political genius of the Greeks and Romans.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMelissa Lane \u003c\/b\u003eis the Class of 1943 Professor of Politics and a faculty member of the Program in Classical Philosophy at Princeton University. She is also the 50th Professor of Rhetoric at Gresham College.\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003eHer books include \u003ci\u003eEco-Republic\u003c\/i\u003e: \u003ci\u003eWhat the Ancients Can Teach Us about Ethics, Virtue, and Sustainable Living\u003c\/i\u003e (Princeton) and \u003ci\u003eMethod and Politics in Plato's \"Statesman.\"\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Princeton University Press","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50844954624274,"sku":"9780691173092","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_d3be73d7-f0ed-4919-9c48-ea387bf1000a.jpg?v=1744274554","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-birth-of-politics-eight-greek-and-roman-political-ideas-and-why-they-matter-9780691173092","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}