Book Title: Politics: A very short introduction

Author: Kenneth Minogue

By Kaiyi Pan

Summary: Illustrated in its very title,  this book is an introduction to what politics is and how it has been derived. The book points to the historical emergence of politics from its oldest origins in Christianity and the Ancient Greeks and moves to substantiate this to relevant issues in modern-day society. It guides the readers through how over the years politics has been interpreted, developed, and branched as a study by different philosophers and politicians, such as Machiavelli, Hobbes, and Locke. The book includes a variety of topics and discussions, ranging from despotism, freedom, and citizenship, to bureaucracy.

Significance of the book: This book is a short manifesto for introducing the readers, especially the beginners, to the field of politics; and includes a wide range of relevant topics and historical examples, all of which are within just 128 pages. It is a good fit for anyone interested in learning politics and expanding their knowledge either as a beginner or professional as the concepts explained in the book will very likely stimulate critical thinking and varying understandings and discussions.