Elgar Advanced Introductions are stimulating and thoughtful introductions to major fields in the social sciences, business and law, expertly written by the world's leading scholars. Designed to be accessible yet rigorous, they offer concise and lucid surveys of the substantive and policy issues associated with discrete subject areas. In this Advanced Introduction, Martin Loughlin provides a concise analysis of political jurisprudence, a powerful but relatively neglected school of thought that offers a compelling account of the relationship between law and politics in the modern world. After presenting a historical sketch of its evolution in European thought, he outlines the basic conceptual framework of the subject and argues that, notwithstanding current strains, political jurisprudence continues to yield acute insights into the politico-legal challenges of our times. Key features: - Identifies the critical themes raised at the intersection of law and politics - Examines the pivotal significance of such basic concepts as authority, state, sovereignty, constitution, freedom and legality - Shows that the works of such major figures as Machiavelli, Bodin, Hobbes, Rousseau, Hegel, Marx, Weber and Schmitt are to be read as exemplary texts of political jurisprudence The Advanced Introduction to Political Jurisprudence is an essential text for scholars and students of law and politics, legal theory and constitutional law, and a critical resource for anyone interested in public affairs