An introduction to political philosophy

1. The nature and scope of political philosophy -- 2. The political theories of the Sophists -- 3. Plato's theory of the ideal state -- 4. Aristotle's theory of the best possible state -- 5. Political philosophy between Aristotle and Machiavelli -- 6. Machiavelli on the science of government -- 7. Hobbes's theory of the rational state -- 8. Locke's theory of the moral state -- 9. Rousseau's theory of the general will -- 10. Hume and Burke on the phllosophy of conservatism -- 11. Hegel's idealist theory of the state -- 12. The utilitarian theories of Bentham and Mill -- 13. Marxism, communism and socialism -- 14. Political philosophy in contemporary politics -- 15. The justification of government.