Potentia

Field's Potentia argues that because Hobbes, under the influence of scholasticism, initially conceived of power in highly individualistic terms, he was forced to reduce collective power to mere juridical authority. But in his mature works, Field argues, Hobbes reconceived power as essentially relational--as the property of an entire social structure--and could consequently highlight more informal sources of collective power that threaten state authority. Field's reading is insightful, creative, bold, and well-argued, and she couples it with an equally insightful reading of Spinoza to prefigure her own positive account of collective, popular power. -- Arash Abizadeh, McGill University Learned, insightful, and engaging, Sandra Field's deployment of 17th C. political philosophy to illuminate our contemporary thinking about the meaning and proper expression of popular power proves fruitful. Investigating the interrelation of potestas and potentia, Field provides formidable arguments against plebiscitary and mass movement paradigms, along with plausible arguments for her own conception of popular power as the state's durable maintenance of citizen equality and participation. Students of Hobbes, Spinoza, and democratic theory alike will find value in Field's book. -- S. A. Lloyd, University of Southern California This is a splendid, deep, and timely study of the foundation of modern democratic theory as reflected in the works of Thomas Hobbes and Benedict de Spinoza, the two giants of modern political philosophy. Free from sentimental illusions, Field provides a compelling and nuanced account of genuine popular power, an account that is invaluable for reorienting contemporary political action. -- Yitzhak Y. Melamed, Johns Hopkins University This book represents a provocative and engaging approach to 17th century political philosophy. Field allies Hobbes and Spinoza against populist romanticism and democratic complacency in surprising ways. Potentia is sure to be the subject of vigorous discussion and debate, from which students and scholars will profit for years to come. -- Hasana Sharp, McGill University