Politics, Order and History: Essays on the Work of Eric Voegelin

Eric Voegelin (1905 – 1985) was one of the twentieth century’s most remarkable thinkers, whose writings cover political science, philosophy, history, sociology, theology and religion. This book presents a number of critical reviews and essays on key themes and issues in the work of Eric Voegelin’s work, embracing international relations, classical philosophy, social history, Christology and literary theory. The volume provides for those both familiar and unfamiliar with his work a useful evaluation of Voegelin’s contribution to the Western intellectual tradition and to many of its major disciplines.

Areas covered include “Political Religions” (manifestations in Nazi Germany and in contemporary European and North American nationalism); contemporary assessments of Plato and Aristotle in the reading of Eric Voegelin; questions and developments from Voegelin's interpretations of New Testament studies and Christology; questions and developments from Voegelin's Old Testament studies, including Israel and Revelation; Revelation and order in axial-age societies; and Voegelin in contrast with contemporary literary theory, including critical readings of Milton and Greek tragedy.