This introduction to the contemporary study of political theory equips readers with an understanding of the key concepts, traditions and thinkers of political theory, from the discipline's origins to its present day manifestation. Taking a problem-based approach, each chapter explores debates and controversies associated with different political ideas and schools of theory.This fifth edition has been substantially revised, updated and restructured to reflect the state of political theory today. It offers:- A comparative approach, allowing readers to make links across thinkers and traditions- A broad framework, showing readers the importance of non-Western and decolonised perspectives- A problem-focused approach, helping students to see the contribution that political theory makes to the broader study of Politics and IR- Two new chapters on exclusion in political theory, covering culture, gender, race and colonialism- Updated thinkers and traditions boxes to represent a diverse range of scholarship- A new 'Focusing on the Texts' feature, showing students how to deal with difficult texts and argumentsCovering contemporary political theory as well as traditional theory and the historical development of political theory, this is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate courses on political thought and political philosophy.