Sovereignty: Seventeenth-Century England and the Making of the Modern Political Imaginary
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Author Description
This book argues that sovereignty is the first-order question of political order, and that seventeenth-century England provides an important case study in the roots of its modern iterations. It offers fresh readings of Thomas Hobbes, John Milton, and Andrew Marvell, as well as lesser-known figures and literary texts. In addition to political philosophy and literary studies, it also takes account of the period's legal history, exploring the exercise of the crown's feudal rights in the Court of Wards and Liveries, debates over habeas rights, and contests of various courts over jurisdiction. Theorizing sovereignty in a way that points forward to later modernity, the book also offers a sustained critique of the writings of Carl Schmitt, the twentieth century's most influential, if also most controversial, thinker on this topic.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates how seventeenth-century England serves as the foundational site for the development of the modern political concept of sovereignty. Feisal G. Mohamed, a scholar of early modern literature and political thought, synthesizes legal history, political philosophy, and literary analysis to argue that the period's internal conflicts established the framework for contemporary political order. By examining the intersection of state power and individual rights, the author provides a critical lens through which to view the evolution of the modern political imaginary.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of political philosophy from Thomas Hobbes, John Milton, and Andrew Marvell
- Examination of seventeenth-century legal institutions including the Court of Wards and Liveries
- Critique of Carl Schmitt’s twentieth-century theories on sovereignty
- Discussion of historical debates regarding habeas rights and jurisdictional disputes
Scope Limits
- The study is primarily focused on the English context and does not provide a comprehensive global history of sovereignty
- The analysis does not extend into contemporary post-modern political theory beyond the critique of Schmitt
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Scholars in the fields of early modern studies and political theory frequently cite this work for its interdisciplinary approach to complex legal and philosophical texts. Experts highlight the book as a significant contribution to understanding the historical roots of modern state authority.
Page Count:
240
Publication Date:
2020-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0192593072
ISBN-13:
9780192593078
History
English literature
Political Philosophy
Politics
Early Modern
Literary Criticism