Applying Political Theory Issues and Debates

by Smits, Katherine

• ISBN13: 9781137426819
• ISBN10: 1137426810
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2016-06-17
• Publisher: Red Globe Pr

Summary

• Should abortion and euthanasia be legal?
• Should whistleblowers be protected or punished?
• How should the world's resources be apportioned?
• How far should the state be allowed to invade personal privacy in order to protect against possible terrorist attacks?
• Should offensive speech be regulated?

Fully revised and extended, the new edition of this innovative and engaging text introduces the central elements of political theory from an applied perspective. Focusing on twelve high profile contemporary social and political issues, both domestic and global, this book shows how political theory illuminates and helps makes sense of important debates in public life.
Now drawing on an even wider range of contemporary and historical political thinkers from different philosophical traditions and updated to take recent important cases and controversies into account, including a new chapter which examines the leaking of classified documents, this is the perfect introduction for students interested in how political theory can be used to help us solve the political questions of our time.

Author Biography

Katherine Smits is Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. She writes and teaches in political theory, and is the author of Reconstructing Liberal Pluralism: From Interest to Identity (2005) and the co-editor of Feminist Moments: Reading Feminist Texts (2015). She is an award-winning teacher, and has published numerous articles and book chapters in the areas of liberal political theory – historical and modern, multiculturalism, identity politics, feminist political thought and nationalism.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. How Should Resources Be Distributed? Taxation, Welfare and Redistribution
3. Are Minority Cultures Entitled to Recognition and Rights?
4. Is Affirmative Action Fair?
5. Should Prostitution and Pornography Be Legal?
6. Should Same-Sex Marriage Be Legal?
7. Should the State Prohibit Euthanasia and Abortion?
8. Should Offensive Speech be Regulated?
9. What Should be the Limits to Whistle-Blowing and Other Citizen Protests?
10. Is Leaking Classified Information Justified?
11. Should Rich Countries Give More Foreign Aid?
12.Can Military Intervention into other Countries Be Justified on Humanitarian Grounds?
13.Should the Natural Environment Be Protected for Future Generations?