Political philosophy is the study of the fundamental questions about the state, government, politics, property, law and the enforcement of a legal code by authority: what they are, why they are needed, what makes a government legitimate, what rights and freedoms it should protect and why, what form it should take and why, what the law is, and what duties citizens owe to a legitimate government, if any, and when it may be legitimately overthrown. Western political thought has been dominated, since the beginning, with an interest in the procedures by which political power is applied. Western political thought is an extremely important subject of study both for university as well as for competitive examinations. It is equally important for all those interested in politics. Aim of this book is to provide to our readers innovative and important aspects of this essential subject at different levels. In selection of the material care has been exercised to confirm to the course contents. Efforts have been made to include readers friendly essays. The present book provides general history necessary for the comprehension of political philosophers relating their works and contributions to the western political thought. The book traverses political thought down from antiquity, the middle ages through the renaissance to the modern period in a lucid manner. The book is useful for students, teachers, researchers, historians' politicians and general readers.