How to read political thinkers?

Should we understand the texts of Plato, Machiavelli, Rousseau and other classics timelessly, or always on the basis of their context? To what extent is such a thinker an original author, and to what extent a picture of his time? Interdisciplinary collective monograph How to read political thinkers? presents the main currents of thought that have developed in the field of the interpretation of political thought texts and in the work with political concepts in a clear but in-depth and interrelated manner. In twelve chapters, written by a broad authorial team of philosophers, political scientists and historians, it introduces the approaches of figures such as L. Strauss, L. Althusser or Q. Skinner and their answers to the title question. The book is intended for students of the social sciences and humanities, as well as for all interested members of the general public who want to get acquainted with the most influential concepts in the study of political texts: to delve into selected interpretive approaches, to become familiar with their methodologies, and to gain stimulus for further reading and your own thinking about political and philosophical issues.