Introduction: Approaches in the History of Political Thought

The article introduces a discussion on approaches to the history of political thought based on a panel at the ECPR General Conference in Potsdam, 2009. After reconstructing the three classic approaches, the Cambridge School, the ‘Begriffsgeschichte’, and Foucault's Genealogy as well as more recent developments in the field, the authors outline a scheme for further methodological and comparative research. They also emphasise the importance of historical approaches for political theory and political science.

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Political Philosophy

Political Philosophy

Political Philosophy, Byzantine

Notes

This sub-field has in fact developed to the point that the University of London now offers a Master's Programme ‘MA in the History of Political Thought and Intellectual History’.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

1. Technical University Dresden, SFB 804, Dresden, 01062, Germany Daniel Schulz
2. Institute for Political Science, University of Hamburg, Allende-Platz 1 (room 204), Hamburg, 20146, Germany Alexander Weiss

1. Daniel Schulz