Final answer:
Political philosophy evolved from the varied political systems of the Greek city-states to the feudal and religiously intertwined governance of the medieval period. The Renaissance and Enlightenment brought about more secular and centralized governance approaches, with significant changes in thoughts on power, ethics, and the role of the state.
Step-by-step explanation:
Evolution of Political Philosophy from Classical to Early-Modern Period
Political philosophy has undergone significant changes from the classical and medieval eras to the early-modern period. In the classical era, beginning with the Greek city-states, we saw a range of political forms from monarchy to democracy, rule by the people. Philosophers like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle explored the nature of justice, ethics, and governance, setting the stage for Western political thought.
During the medieval period, Europe shifted to a feudal system with manorialism and feudalism defining social and political structures. The High Middle Ages introduced scholasticism, blending faith with reason and forming the basis for the intellectual life of the time.
The early-modern period, spurred by the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, saw a questioning of classical learning and a more secular approach to governance, as epitomized by thinkers like Thomas Hobbes. The Enlightenment furthered the evolution of political thought, leading to absolutism and the centralization of monarchic power, which in turn laid the groundwork for modern political systems and market economies.