What has been understood by "common good," "virtue," or "justice" at different times? What possibilities exist for thinking about "state," "democracy," and "freedom"? And how can the history of political ideas and political theory be used to understand our present? At political science institutes, the introductory lecture on Political Theory is one of the mandatory courses. This clearly written textbook focuses on central pairs of concepts that are presented in their development and relevance through an ideational historical approach, demonstrating the potential that political theory holds for political science work - an exciting journey through the universe of political thought that also offers many intellectual stimuli for the interested layperson.