Introduction to Contemporary Political Theory

• PART ONE: CONTEMPORARY LIBERAL THEORYRawls and Justice as FairnessIntroductionThe Original Position Equal OpportunityCohen′s Egalitarian CritiqueThe Principles that Apply to IndividualsWho are the Least Advantaged?Beitz on Global JusticeA Political Conception of JusticeNozick and the Entitlement Theory of JusticeIntroductionThe State: Is it Necessary?Wilt Chamberlain and the Entitlement TheoryThe Principle of Initial AcquisitionThe Principle of RectificationConclusion: Self Ownership and Private PropertyGauthier and Justice as Mutual AdvantageIntroductionHobbes and the State of NatureGauthier and the Compliance ProblemWhat is a Rational Bargain?The Limits of Justice as Mutual AdvantageDworkin on EqualityIntroductionDworkin on Equality of ResourcesWelfare Reform and the Basic Income ProposalPolitical Equality and DemocracyAgainst Luck EgalitarianismPART TWO: ALTERNATIVE TRADITIONSCommunitarianismIntroductionDeontological Liberalism and the Unencumbered SelfState NeutralityWalzer on Complex EqualityMiller on NationalismConclusionMulticulturalismIntroduction: The Politics of RecognitionKymlicka and the Rights of National MinoritiesPolyethnic RightsBarry Against MulticulturalismDeliberative DemocracyIntroduction: The Importance of DemocracyMoving Beyond the Aggregated Model of DemocracyHow Substantive are the Principles of DemocracyRetaining the Critical Edge of Deliberative DemocracyCritically Assessing the Ideal of Deliberative DemocracyFeminismIntroductionLiberal FeminismThe Public/Private DichotomyThe Politics of DifferenceConclusion

This book gives an admirably lucid and careful account of the central controversies and sites of disagreement in political theory over the last thirty years; it does not sacrifice theoretical sophistication and nuance for the sake of clarity and accessibility, but rather achieves both. The book provides an up to date account of how things stand currently in political philosophy, and will provide an excellent introduction for students from any background. Reading this book will also greatly benefit anyone interested in how the most important contemporary political philosophers and theorists have approached the question of how we ought to live together.Dr Catriona McKinnon, Lecturer in Political Philosophy, University of York.Colin Farrelly has gathered together in one volume several of the key texts that have shaped recent developments in political theory. The editor′s introductions to each section make the readings themselves more accessible to students who are new to the subject by locating them in a broader context. They also also provide helfpul outlines of some of the other major theoretical contributions to the schools of thought that are covered. The structure of the book refelcts that of many courses offering surveys of recent debates between liberals and their critics. It is an excellent teaching resource.Shane O′Neill, Professor of Political Theory (and Head of the School of Politics and International Studies), Queen′s University, Belfast.