{"product_id":"the-birth-of-politics-melissa-lane-9780691173092","title":"The Birth of Politics: Eight Greek and Roman Political Ideas and Why They Matter","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA lively and accessible introduction to the Greek and Roman origins of our political ideas\u003c\/b\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eThe Birth of Politics\u003c\/i\u003e, Melissa Lane introduces the reader to the foundations of Western political thought, from the Greeks, who invented democracy, to the Romans, who created a republic and then transformed it into an empire. Tracing the origins of our political concepts from Socrates to Plutarch to Cicero, Lane reminds us that the birth of politics was a story as much of individuals as ideas. Scouring the speeches of lawyers alongside the speculations of philosophers, and the reflections of ex-slaves next to the popular comedies and tragedies of the Greek and Roman stages, this book brings ancient ideas to life in unexpected ways. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eLane shows how the Greeks and Romans defined politics with distinctive concepts, vocabulary, and practices--all of which continue to influence politics and political aspirations around the world today. She focuses on eight political ideas from the Greco-Roman world that are especially influential today: justice, virtue, constitution, democracy, citizenship, cosmopolitanism, republic, and sovereignty. Lane also describes how the ancient formulations of these ideas often challenge widely held modern assumptions--for example, that it is possible to have political equality despite great economic inequality, or that political regimes can be indifferent to the moral character of their citizens. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA stimulating introduction to the origins of our political ideas and ideals, \u003ci\u003eThe Birth of Politics\u003c\/i\u003e demonstrates how much we still have to learn from the political genius of the Greeks and Romans.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Melissa Lane\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 0691173095\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780691173092\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Princeton University Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/16\/2016\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 400\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.90lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 7.90h x 5.00w x 1.00d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAccelerated Reader:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReading Level:\u003c\/b\u003e 5.2\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePoint Value:\u003c\/b\u003e 6\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eInterest Level:\u003c\/b\u003e Middle Grade\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eQuiz #\/Name: \u003c\/b\u003e163054 \/ Eldritch Manor\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Melissa Lane","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":43995570962687,"sku":"9780691173092","price":20.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_5b67fe58-bb66-45a7-95c9-5fed6840d17f.jpg?v=1683336572","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-birth-of-politics-melissa-lane-9780691173092","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}