If you need a systematic introduction to modern Political Thought, this is your book. Outlining four dominant paradigms, the authors help beginners to understand fundamental differences between liberal, communitarian, deliberative and postmodern theories. A scheme of well-structured presentations allows to understand the historical context and the specific effects of each theory. From the Contents: Foundations of Political Theory Theory-making under Modern Conditions Two Dominant Paradigms Liberal Theories Republican and Communitarian Theories Deliberative Theories Postmodern Theories Perspectives: New Questions and Debates