Introduction

Political theory itself has, of course, never been opposed. As science developed rigorous techniques of evidence, political theorizing in the classical tradition appeared unmethodical, dangerously speculative and tainted with normative apologetics. Human behaviour, which seems to fit the categories ‘purposeful’ and ‘elective’ rather than ‘caused’ and ‘determined’, appears unsuited to analysis by traditional scientific methodology. True revival comes only when we understand that there may be a meaningful relationship between the theory Hobbes evolved at a special moment in history and our own particular moment in history. The essential subject-matter of political theory is to be found in enduring motivations or norms. It is their order of importance that has changed, not their collective significance for us.