The Dignity of Legislation
The Dignity of Legislation
Jeremy Waldron here attempts to restore the good name of legislation in political theory. Focused in particular on the writings of Aristotle, Locke and Kant, this book recovers and highlights ways of thinking about legislation that present it as a dignified mode of governance and a respectable source of law. The focus is particularly on legislation by assemblies, large gatherings of representatives who air their disagreements in ferocious debate and make laws by deliberation and voting. Jeremy Waldron has published extensively in law, philosophy and political theory. Here he presents a unique study of the place of legislation in the canon of political thought - a study which emphasises the positive features of democracy and representative assemblies. The Dignity of Legislation is original in conception, trenchantly argued and very clearly presented, and will be of interest to a wide range of scholars and thinkers.
- Concise statement by senior legal philosopher
- Topical subject especially in UK (considering the introduction of a Bill of Rights)
- Crosses political/legal/philosophical boundaries
Reviews & endorsements
"This excellent book is a forceful statement of an important position...and the book is a contribution to the history of political thought as well as contemporary debate." London Review of Books
"It is...lucid, thoughtful and persuasive..." TLS
"...Waldron adds healthy moderation and realism to philosophical discussions of democratic lawmaking." Choice
Product details
September 1999Paperback
9780521658836
224 pages
203 × 135 × 14 mm
0.31kg
Available
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgements
- 1. Introduction
- 2. The indignity of legislation
- 3. Kant's positivism
- 4. Locke's legislature (and Rawls's)
- 5. Aristotle's multitude
- 6. The physics of consent
- Notes to chapters
- Bibliography
- Index.
