Given the rise of globalization and coinciding increase in cultural clashes among diverse nations, it has become eminently clear to scholars of political thought that there exists a critical gap in the knowledge of non-Western philosophies and how Western thought has been influenced by them. This gap has led to a severely diminished capacity of both state and nonstate actors to communicate effectively on a global scale. The political theorists, area scholars, and intellectual historians gathered here by Takashi Shogimen and Cary J. Nederman examine the exchange of political ideas between Europe and Asia from the Middle Ages to the early twentieth century.

They establish the need for comparative political thought, showing that in order to fully grasp the origins and achievements of the West, historians of political thought must incorporate Asian political discourse and ideas into their understanding. By engaging in comparative studies, this volume proves the necessity of a cross-disciplinary approach in guiding the study of the global history of political thought.

Shogimen and Nederman have produced a volume of great insight and intellectual clarity, a long-overdue contribution to the work of comparative political theorists and to the field of political theory in general. The authors in this volume rightly remind us of the importance of key Islamic, Indian, Confucian and Japanese voices in the emergence of a global canon, allowing us to envision a political theory that does not rely on Western voices alone. -- Farah Godrej, University of California, Riverside
This pioneering book sheds light on every facet of comparative political thought, from its historical context to its methodology to its contemporary significance. Perhaps most importantly, it offers a compelling positive answer to critics who wonder whether such a comparative enterprise is even possible. In fact, the detailed studies in this volume suggest that comparative dimensions are interwoven into the fabric of all mature traditions of political thought. One day we will all wonder how anyone ever thought the non-comparative study of political thought were possible. -- Stephen C. Angle, Professor of Philosophy and East Asian Studies, Wesleyan University

Takashi Shogimen is senior lecturer in History at the University of Otago in New Zealand.

Cary J. Nederman is professor of political science at Texas A&M University.