Lectures on Political Theory 1941-45

Description

Delivered during the years of heightened national security of World War II these lectures present Anderson's views on the major questions in political theory in relation to the major influences upon his own early education: modern Idealism and Marxism. In place of a simplistic contrast between individual and state Anderson insisted upon the complex interplay of movements, institutions and traditions. His modernist, realist project drew upon the major theorists of conflict, struggle and cyclic historical movement: Heraclitus, Vico and Sorel.

John Anderson was the Challis professor of philosophy at the University of Sydney from 1927 to 1958.

'Those who have previously trekked to the Fisher Library at Sydney to use these papers, as I did for 'John Anderson and the Syndicalist Moment' (Political Theory Newsletter, 1993), can now work on these materials at the leisure of their own desks. This is a significant contribution, for while everybody on the Australian left and in larger philosophical networks knows of Anderson, it always remains possible that we do not know him at all. Creagh McLean Cole's contribution to this moment is to be applauded.' -- Peter Beilharz * Thesis 11 *