The Great Alternatives of Social Thought: Aristocrat, Saint, Capitalist, Socialist

The Great Alternatives of Social Thought aims to take the reader to the heart of western political theory. The four alternatives that Cook presents - aristocrat, saint, capitalist, socialist - define the distinct strategies offered to cope with scarcities underlying violent human conflicts, for these core commitments dominate their contrasting economics and politics. Resisting the temptation to regard the problematic as ideal types from which to embellish or criticize, he blends a presentation of each view with penetrating insights and parallels. To each alternative, he applies the presumptions of rule and authority, especially mediated by expectations of democracy. Each view has two chapters devoted to it - one describing the author’s view of the problematic, the second applying the view to democracy.