Reconsidering C.B. MacPherson
From Possessive Individualism to Democratic Theory and Beyond
Published on 23. November 2015
Book
Hardback
384 pages
978-1-4426-3059-8 (ISBN)
Description
C.B. Macpherson occupies an ambiguous place in contemporary political thought. Though his work is well known, it remains on the margins of current democratic theory. That marginalization, Phillip Hansen argues, comes from our failure to appreciate the underlying philosophical dimension of Macpherson's work.
Identifying and exploring Macpherson's systematic critique of the liberal claim that the individual is the "proprietor of his own person or capacities, owing nothing to society for them," Reconsidering C.B. Macpherson highlights his affinities to Herbert Marcuse, Max Horkheimer, and the Frankfurt School.
This stimulating reappraisal illustrates the importance of Macpherson's classic books, including The Political Theory of Possessive Individualism and Democratic Theory, and demonstrates how much his work has to offer to the future of political and social thought.
Identifying and exploring Macpherson's systematic critique of the liberal claim that the individual is the "proprietor of his own person or capacities, owing nothing to society for them," Reconsidering C.B. Macpherson highlights his affinities to Herbert Marcuse, Max Horkheimer, and the Frankfurt School.
This stimulating reappraisal illustrates the importance of Macpherson's classic books, including The Political Theory of Possessive Individualism and Democratic Theory, and demonstrates how much his work has to offer to the future of political and social thought.
Reviews / Votes
'The book serves as an excellent introduction for the more sophisticated student of political philosophy who is new to Macpherson... In effect, this book is a series of interesting meditations on Macpherson's thought arguing for his continued importance.'- Jules Townshend (Marx and Philosophy Review of Books April 2016) 'Under Hansen's skillful interpretative guidance, the reader is reintroduced to a thinker who confounds many of the stereotypes of Cold War-era Marxist theory...His remarkable achievement is to bring to life C.B. Macpherson's thought and enduring legacy, his complex blend of traditional and critical philosophy.'
- Dr. Lee Ward (Perspectives on Political Science March 2017) 'Magnificent study of C.B. Macpherson's political thought... Well researched, splendidly written book.'
- Richard K. Matthews (American Political Thought Spring 2017)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Toronto
Canada
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
With dust jacket
Dimensions
Height: 231 mm
Width: 163 mm
Thickness: 36 mm
Weight
726 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4426-3059-8 (9781442630598)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Phillip Hansen is professor emeritus in the Department of Philosophy and Classics at the University of Regina. He is the author of Reconsidering C.B. Macpherson: From Possessive Individualism to Democratic Theory and Beyond, also published by the University of Toronto Press.
Content
Introduction
Chapter One: Possessive Individualism as Critique: History, Ontology and the Roots of Liberalism
Chapter Two: Human Nature and Democratic Possibilities: Macpherson, Ontology and the Fate of Liberal Democracy
Chapter Three: Capitalism, Socialism, and Self-Development: Macpherson and/on Marx
Chapter Four: C.B. Macpherson, Democracy, and Democratic Theory I: Revisionist Liberalism and the Two Faces of Liberty
Chapter Five: C.B. Macpherson, Democracy, and Democratic Theory II: Human Rights, Democratic Expressions, and Democratic Models
Chapter Six: Political Theory, Social Science and Social Critique: C.B. Macpherson, Philosophy, and Methodology
Chapter One: Possessive Individualism as Critique: History, Ontology and the Roots of Liberalism
Chapter Two: Human Nature and Democratic Possibilities: Macpherson, Ontology and the Fate of Liberal Democracy
Chapter Three: Capitalism, Socialism, and Self-Development: Macpherson and/on Marx
Chapter Four: C.B. Macpherson, Democracy, and Democratic Theory I: Revisionist Liberalism and the Two Faces of Liberty
Chapter Five: C.B. Macpherson, Democracy, and Democratic Theory II: Human Rights, Democratic Expressions, and Democratic Models
Chapter Six: Political Theory, Social Science and Social Critique: C.B. Macpherson, Philosophy, and Methodology