The History of Political Theory and Other Essays
The History of Political Theory and Other Essays
In this collection of recent essays (several appearing in English for the first time), John Dunn brings his penetrating insight to a wide range of political issues. He argues for the importance of a historical perspective in political thought, engages with central concepts such as obligation, trust, and freedom of conscience, and tackles contemporary problems such as racism and humanitarian intervention. The volume provides a representative collection of work by one of the most astute political commentators writing today.
- Author is one of the most distinguished political theorists/ commentators writing today
- Collection of recent essays, several appearing in English for the first time
- Encompasses and combines historical perspectives, central issues of political theory, and contemporary problems
Reviews & endorsements
"...the essays are brief, focused, cogent, and carefully thought out..." Choice
"John Dunn's complex persona, as both Cambridge historian of political ideas and political scientist is nicely exemplified in this recent collection of essays....he remains an important voice and one who should be listened to not simply by historians of political thought." P.J. Kelly, Canadian Journal of Political Science
Product details
January 1996Paperback
9780521497848
252 pages
228 × 151 × 15 mm
0.38kg
Available
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The history of political theory
- 3. Contractualism
- 4. Political obligation
- 5. Trust
- 6. The claim to freedom of conscience: freedom of speech, freedom of thought, freedom of worship?
- 7. Property, justice and common good after socialism
- 8. The dilemma of humanitarian intervention: the executive power of the Law of Nature after God
- 9. Specifying and understanding racism
- 10. Political science, political theory, and policymaking in an interdependent world
- 11. Democracy: the politics of making, defending and exemplifying community: Europe 1992
- 12. Is there a contemporary crisis of the nation state?
- 13. Political and economic obstacles to rapid collective learning
- 14. The heritage and future of the European left.
