Spinoza and Politics - 9781844672059

WithHobbes and Locke, Spinoza is arguably one of the most importantpolitical philosophers of the modern era, a premier theoretician ofdemocracy and mass politics. In this revised and augmented Englishtranslation of his 1985 classic, Spinoza et la Politique,Etienne Balibar presents a synoptic account of Spinoza's major works,admirably demonstrating relevance to his contemporary political life.

Balibarcarefully situates Spinoza's major treatises in the period in whichthey were written. In successive chapters, he examines the politicalsituation in the United Provinces during Spinoza's lifetime, Spinoza'sown religious and ideological associations, the concept of democracydeveloped in the Theologico-Political Treatise, the theory of the state advanced in the Political Treatise and the anthropological basis for politics established in the Ethics.