Offers a comprehensive, synoptic, and comparative analysis of the conceptions of political theory throughout the twentieth century. This book challenges views of contemporary political theory and provides perspectives on the future of the subject. It serves as a useful resource for scholars and students of the discipline.

Andrew Vincent makes a case for a more ecumenical and tolerant approach to the discipline, suggesting that there are different, but equally legitimate, answers to the question, 'what is political theory?'. Acceptance of this view would involve a supplementation of the standard substantive approaches to contemporary political theory. The Nature of Political Theory offers a unique and idiosyncratic perspective on our current understanding of political theory, making it an indispensable resource for all scholars and students of the discipline.

Preface
1. An Eclectic Subject
PART 1
2. We Have a Firm Foundation
PART 2
3. Foundations Shaken but not Stirred
4. Bleached Foundations
PART 3
5. Shoring up Foundations
6. New Conventions for Old
PART 4
7. Segmented Foundations and Pluralism
8. Standing Problems
PART 5
9. Dialogic Foundations
10. Circular Foundations
Conclusion
Bibliography