Introduction to Contemporary Political Theory

by Colin Farrelly

• ISBN13: 9780761949077
• ISBN10: 0761949070
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-12-20
• Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd

Summary

'This text provides an up to date account of how things currently stand in political philosophy, and will provide an excellent introduction for students from any background. It gives a lucid and careful account of the central controversies and sites of disagreement in political theory over the last thirty years and rather than sacrifice theoretical sophistication and nuance for the sake of clarity and accessibility, it admirably achieves both' - Catriona McKinnon, University of York This comprehensive textbook provides a complete and accessible introduction to the main theorists and issues in contemporary political theory today. The text is organized into two major parts. The first, Contemporary Liberal Theory, outlines four distinct liberal theories of justice to introduce the work of Rawls, Nozick, Gauthier and Dworkin. The second, Alternative Traditions, introduces the theorists and themes associated with four key areas of contemporary debate: communitarianism, multiculturalism, deliberative democracy and feminism. By giving students questions for consideration and using applied examples throughout, the text illustrates the practical relevance of contemporary theoretical debates to everyday issues in policy and politics. The result is an essential overview of all the main traditions, issues and positions in political theory today that will serve as an invaluable resource for all students of contemporary political theory, political ideas and political philosophy. Colin Farrelly is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, Canada. Introduction to Contemporary Political Theory will complement Contemporary Political Theory: A Reader edited by Colin Farrelly and also published by SAGE Publications.

Table of Contents

PART ONE: CONTEMPORARY LIBERAL THEORY

Rawls and Justice as Fairness

Introduction

The Original Position

Equal Opportunity

Cohen on Incentives

The Principles that Apply to Individuals

Who are the Least Advantaged?

Beitz on Global Justice

A Political Conception of Justice

Nozick and the Entitlement Theory of Justice

Introduction

The State: Is it Necessary?

Wilt Chamberlain and the Entitlement Theory

The Principle of Initial Acquisition

The Principle of Rectification

Conclusion: Self Ownership and Private Property

Gauthier and The Limits of Justice as Mutual Advantage

Introduction

Hobbes and the State of Nature

Gauthier and the Compliance Problem

What is a Rational Bargain?

The Limits of Justice as Mutual Advantage

Dworkin on Equality

Introduction

Dworkin on Equality of Resources

Welfare Reform and the Basic Income Proposal

Political Equality and Democracy

Against Luck Egalitarianism

PART TWO: ALTERNATIVE TRADITIONS

Communitarianism

Introduction

Deontological Liberalism and the Unencombered Self

State Neutrality

Walzer on Complex Equality

Miller on Nationalism

Conclusion

Multiculturalism

Introduction: The Politics of Recognition

Kymlicka and the Rights of National Minorities

Polyethnic Rights

Barry Against Multiculturalism

Deliberative Democracy

Introduction: The Importance of Democracy

Moving Beyond the Aggregated Model of Democracy

How Substantive are the Principles of Democracy

Retaining the Critical Edge of Deliberative Democracy

Critically Assessing the Ideal of Deliberative Democracy

Feminism

Introduction

Liberal Feminism

The Public//Private Dichotomy

The Politics of Difference

Conclusion