Bertell Ollman in Alienation offers a subtle rendition of the the concept. The proverbial prodigal son returning to the fold. The central theme of Augustine is love of God and debasement of the self and material things. The role of the state, as a servant of the church, is important, but limited to the mainteanace of social order. As fallen creatures we must demonstrate by our actions and deeds in this life that we warrant enterance into Heaven.
Man is a social and political animal.
Some of the most famous lines in all of political philosophy. As a practical science, we must adjust our political decisions to our conditions and allow for variation of the truth in confrontation with the particulars. There is in Aristotle no talk of the individual, the social contract, limited government and the notion of rights. While he cautioned against the dangers of arbitrainess in political decisions and the need for responsibility in the law and individual decisions he regarded the state and our participation in it as crucial to human existence. During the Middle Ages, even while his writing are not discovered until the 12th century, looms over the Middle Ages as the Philosopher.