The Good Society and Tyrants
The Intractable Struggle
(First Edition)
©2026, 240 pages
Paperback list price: $106.95
Cognella Direct Ebook: $89.95
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The Good Society and Tyrants: The Intractable Struggle explores the enduring challenge of realizing and maintaining a Good Society. The text examines historical, social science, and philosophical perspectives on what constitutes a fair and just society that respects the diversity of its people.
Part I of the book describes leading illustrations of Good Societies: Plato’s Republic, the Book of Exodus, Christian society as described in the Corinthian Letters and Revelation, the Koran, Marx, and modern constitutional democracy. It describes the foundational aspects shared by each of these societies: sufficient population, liberation or revolution, charismatic leadership, shared ideology, faith or religion, and mechanisms to enforce a shared culture.
Part II examines why Good Societies are never fully achieved, focusing on tyrants. The closing chapter explores why all societies, good or tyrannical, are inherently fragile.
The Good Society and Tyrants is ideal for courses focusing on political philosophy, history, political science, and religious studies, specifically those exploring social constructs, leadership dynamics, and governance.
Part I of the book describes leading illustrations of Good Societies: Plato’s Republic, the Book of Exodus, Christian society as described in the Corinthian Letters and Revelation, the Koran, Marx, and modern constitutional democracy. It describes the foundational aspects shared by each of these societies: sufficient population, liberation or revolution, charismatic leadership, shared ideology, faith or religion, and mechanisms to enforce a shared culture.
Part II examines why Good Societies are never fully achieved, focusing on tyrants. The closing chapter explores why all societies, good or tyrannical, are inherently fragile.
The Good Society and Tyrants is ideal for courses focusing on political philosophy, history, political science, and religious studies, specifically those exploring social constructs, leadership dynamics, and governance.
Joel Seligman is Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law at Washington University and President Emeritus of the University of Rochester. He earned his J.D. from Harvard University and his A.B. from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Mary Schwab Seligman is Visiting Professor at Washington University School of Law. She received her B.A. in Anthropology from Harvard, her M.D. from Dartmouth Medical School, and an M.A.R. from Yale Divinity School. She is a former Associate Professor at Yale Medical School, where she combined clinical practice in adult, adolescent, and child psychiatry and epidemiological research.
Formats and Bulk Order Pricing for Confirmed Adoptions
Publisher Direct Versions — Available through the Cognella Student Store for confirmed adoptions |
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$89.95
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Publisher Direct Ebook | Publisher Direct ebooks are available in your Cognella account immediately after purchase and provide access for 180 days. Our ebooks run on VitalSource and RedShelf with perpetual/annual options available. |
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$96.95
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Publisher Direct Paperback | These special, discounted paperback editions are sold exclusively through the Cognella Student Store (store.cognella.com) for confirmed adoptions. They are not available through other retailers. The books are printed on demand, do not have an ISBN, and are not intended for resale, which results in savings we pass along to students. Most Publisher Direct Paperbacks also come with free, immediate access to the first 30% of the ebook and shipping included. |
Higher Education Bookstore Pricing — These suggested retail prices include a total projected mark-up of 25% |
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Inclusive Access Available!
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Ebook 979-8-8233-9661-5 |
We partner with VitalSource, Kortext, and RedShelf to provide day-one access to students through campus bookstores. Bookstores and these vendors share in the total projected mark-up. Learn more about Inclusive Access at cognella.com/inclusive-access. Contact us for details. |
| $106.95 | Paperback 979-8-8233-7637-2 |
Standard paperback version. Contact us for course adoptions; also available for individual purchase through national wholesalers and retailers — and from our website directly — see Purchase button above. |
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Other formats (perforated, hardcover, etc.) may be available. Contact us for course adoptions; specialty formats are not available for individual purchase. | |
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