Addresses topics in political theory including: What resources do the classic texts provide for political theorists? What areas will political theorists focus on in the future? And, can western political theory alone continue to provide a framework for responding to the challenges of modern political life?

What is Political Theory? began its development as a special issue of the journal, Political Theory, marking its thirtieth anniversary, as well as the fortieth anniversary of Isaiah Berlin's famous essay, "Does Political Theory Still Exist?". The book expands on that special issue by including a new section on "Political Thought in a Global Perspective", taking up the question of how the tradition of Western Political Thought should understand itself and its tasks in light of non-Western perspectives and globalization processes. Another contribution also specifically considers the legacy of John Rawl's work.The result is a comprehensive overview of the current state of the discipline and the most pressing topics in political theory today. It is an essential purchase for all students and teachers of political theory and political philosophy today.