In this revised and augmented English translation of his 1985 classic, Spinoza et la Politique, Etienne Balibar presents a synoptic account of Spinoza’s major works in relation to the political and historical conjuncture in which they were written. Balibar admirably demonstrates, through fine readings of the principal treatises, Spinoza’s relevance to contemporary political life.In successive chapters Balibar he examines the political situation in the United Provinces during Spinoza’s lifetime, Spinoza’s own religious and ideological associations, the concept of democracy developed in the Theologico-Political Treatise, the theory of the state advanced in the Political Treatise and the anthropological basis for politics established in the Ethics.Written with supreme clarity and engaging liveliness, this book will appeal to specialists and general audiences alike. It is certain to become the standard introductory work on Spinoza, an indispensable guide to the intricacies of this most vital of the seventeenth-century rationalists.

    They entered my house hand in hand as if they were the perfect fucking couple. I smiled and gave them both a quick hug and got to the kitchen to sneak a drink of wine. It was one of the many gifts that we received at our housewarming party back in February. I had been hiding it in the pantry, just waiting for the perfect time to bust it open. Being that I had only consumed alcohol once before, I decided to take it slow. Yeah, I got a buzz quickly, but I was nowhere near drunk. Fifteen minutes later, it was something different. I definitely didn't have the slightest inclination what affects it had on the mind and body. Why didn't someone warn me? By the time the wine kicked in to its full capacity, our guests were starting to leave. I had to piss something terrible so I rushed to the bathroom. Someone was in the main one, so I rushed back to my bedroom. Strangely, the door was closed. I had just passed DeAndre so I knew it couldn't be him in there. I twisted the knob and began to go in. "I'm in here," I heard a guys' voice yell out but it was too late. I already had fully entered. My mouth opened and my bottom lip dropped. What I was seeing before my eyes I could not believe.