Canon Controversies in Political Thought Two Theories of Influence
'In this well-written and critically informed book, Welburn reviews how past political thinkers are connected. He invites us to re-think the question of influence in the history of political thought.'–Gary Browning, Professor of Political Thought, Oxford
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Canon Controversies in Political Thought
Dominic Welburn
Canon Controversies in Political Thought Two Theories of Influence
Dominic Welburn University of Bradford Bradford, UK
ISBN 978-3-030-41360-6 ISBN 978-3-030-41361-3 (eBook) https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-41361-3 © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are solely and exclusively licensed by the Publisher, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilms or in any other physical way, and transmission or information storage and retrieval, electronic adaptation, computer software, or by similar or dissimilar methodology now known or hereafter developed. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, service marks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. The publisher, the authors and the editors are safe to assume that the advice and information in this book are believed to be true and accurate at the date of publication. Neither the publisher nor the authors or the editors give a warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein or for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The publisher remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Cover pattern © Melisa Hasan This Palgrave Pivot imprint is published by the registered company Springer Nature Switzerland AG. The registered company address is: Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
Preface
To be influential indicates a degree of originality. The influential are set apart from their peers and have achieved an unrivalled independence of thought or creativity. Originality therefore suggests freedom from the influence of both peers of forbearers alike. To liberate one’s self from overbearing masters, mad or otherwise, paves the way for creative autonomy along Harold Bloom’s ‘hidden roads’; roads which run between original works. How, though, does the Great writer or artist become influential whilst simultaneously escaping what is the inescapable ‘astral,’ or ‘emanational,’ force of influence itself? To be sure, achieving influence over others through originality, greatness, genius, or independence represents a break from the very chains of influence. Yet defining a theory of the much- overlooked notion of influence, as the network of hidden roads between the influential and those who fall under their influence, has proved notoriously difficult. Although in one sense it is pejorative—pernicious even—in representing the co-dependence and potentially oppressive relationship between influential Greats and the merely inferior influenced, there is another view that influence (as a t
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