
An Introduction to Political Philosophy
Colin Bird(Author)
Cambridge University Press
Published on 14. December 2006
Book
Paperback/Softback
322 pages
978-0-521-54482-5 (ISBN)
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Description
Providing a comprehensive introduction to political philosophy, this 2006 book combines discussion of historical and contemporary figures, together with numerous real-life examples. It ranges over an unusually broad range of topics in the field, including the just distribution of wealth, both within countries and globally; the nature and justification of political authority; the meaning and significance of freedom; arguments for and against democratic rule; the problem of war; and the grounds for toleration in public life. It also offers an accessible, non-technical discussion of perfectionism, utilitarianism, theories of the social contract, and of recently popular forms of critical theory. Throughout, the book challenges readers to think critically about political arguments and institutions that they might otherwise take for granted. It will be a provocative text for any student of philosophy or political science.
More details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 248 mm
Width: 173 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
653 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-54482-5 (9780521544825)
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Other editions
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Colin Bird
An Introduction to Political Philosophy
Book
04/2019
2nd Edition
Cambridge University Press
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Colin Bird
An Introduction to Political Philosophy
E-Book
01/2007
Cambridge University Press
€32.49
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Person
Colin Bird is Associate Professor at the Woodrow Wilson Department of Politics, University of Virginia. He is author of The Myth of Liberal Individualism (1999).
Content
Introduction; Part I. Politics and Justification: 1. The puzzle of justification; 2. The common good; 3. Utilitarianism; 4. The social contract; Part II. Topics in Political Philosophy: 5. Property and wealth; 6. Economic justice; 7. Authority; 8. Liberty; 9. Democratic rule; 10. War; 11. Living with difference; 12. Radical criticism.