The Politics of Association is a study of political institutions in a Hellenistic democracy. It takes a broader view of what constitutes a political institution and surveys the families, civic subdivisions and private associations. It argues that these institutions collectively constituted a kind of civil society and alternative conception of the polis. Finally, it documents how members of the local elite cultivated networks of families, civic subdivisions and association to support their claim on greater political influence.
“The emphasis in this book is on political practice. This makes its case study potentially transformative for the conversation around Hellenistic democracy and indeed the overall characterization of the Hellenistic polis.” – BMCR
The book’s introductory chapter is made available by the press here.
Out now in paperback, here.
Christian A Thomsen 