本书通过对不同文化传统中国家观念与制度的分析,考察了以国家传统为代表的有关公共权力的思想。作者不仅提供了清晰的国家概念,还探讨了诸如知识界的作用、国家理论的社会功能、包容性及国家和民主的困难等有关国家的重要议题,并着力阐释了西欧国家传统的复杂性及其与民主政治之间的关系。肯尼斯·戴森教授强调了“观念”的重要性,并认为观念是现实的重要组成部分,人们既是观念的操作者,也是观念的囚徒,并用能够被其他人接受的语 Through the analysis of Chinese concepts and systems in different cultural traditions, this book examines the ideas of public power represented by the national tradition. The author not only provided a clear concept of the state, but also explored important topics in the countries concerned, such as the role of the intellectual community, the social function of state theory, inclusiveness and the difficulties of state and democracy, and elaborated on the traditional complexity of Western European countries and Its relationship with democracy. Professor Kenneth Dyson emphasized the importance of “idea ” and considered that concepts are an important part of reality. People are both operators of ideas and prisoners of ideas and use words that others can accept