A school of thought traceable to the political writings of Bodin and Hobbes believes that "order" is the cardinal principle which takes precedence over "justice" - which is reduced to conformity. The main concern of this book is to analyse this tradition through study of its progenitors.
Part 1 Introduction; Chapter 1 Introduction; Part 2 Absolutist Perspectives; Chapter 2 History: Italy and Machiavelli; Chapter 3 History: France and Bodin; Chapter 4 History: England and Hobbes; Part 3 Twilight of the Pluralist State: Jean Bodin; Chapter 5 Bodinian Overview; Chapter 6 The Family; Chapter 7 Private Corporate Bodies; Chapter 8 The Family and Private Corporate Bodies; Chapter 9 Public Corporations: Iuges et Magistrats; Chapter 10 The Sovereign: Exposition; Chapter 11 The Sovereign: Analysis; Part 4 Dawn of the Absolutist State: Thomas Hobbes; Chapter 12 Hobbesian Overview: Facts and Norms; Chapter 13 Hobbesian Overview: Family and State; Chapter 14 The Individual; Chapter 15 Mother and Infant; Chapter 16 Parent and Child; Chapter 17 Corporate Structure; Chapter 18 State Structure; Chapter 19 Conclusion; Part 5 Conclusion; Chapter 20 The Ideology of Order;
'The book's mix of approaches is refreshing ... its erudition impressive.' - The Journal of Politics