
The Politics of Community
Theory and Practice
Adrian Little(Author)
Edinburgh University Press
Published on 5. February 2002
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-0-7486-1543-8 (ISBN)
Description
Community is one of the most widely used yet also one of the most complex concepts in modern political thought. This book provides an introduction to the concept, showing how philosophical ideas can be used in political practice.The aims of the book are:- to provide a critical analysis of the historical use of the concept of community in political philosophy and sociological theory- to demonstrate the problems that emanate from the division between communitarianism and liberalism- to contrast the orthodox views on communitarianism of conservative thinkers in the UK and USA with more radical and egalitarian perspectives- to consider possible new ways of thinking about notions of community in relation to social and economic policies- to show the relevance of community to debates about democracy, pluralism, difference and the future of the state and civil societyWhile other books consider either the philosophical or the policy elements of community, this book is unique in drawing together these strands and demonstrating their links. As such it is an ideal textbook for undergraduate students, grounding abstract and quite difficult theory in contemporary situations.
Reviews / Votes
Given the extent to which community now dominates political discourse as a remedy for all the economic and social problems of society, a book that explicitly addresses the 'politics of community' is both timely and relevant. This book captures the latest debates about community within contemporary politics, it draws upon the most up-to-date literature from political philosophy and sociological theory to advance its argument, it provides a detailed critique of conservative, communitarian ways of thinking about community, and it links philosophical conceptions of community with their policy manifestations. * Australian Journal of Political Science * A rich study of how community has been dealt with in social and political theory, providing an especially detailed critique of communitarian thought. It also investigates the implications of community for pulblic policy and political action. This text would be ideally suited to advanced undergraduate courses. * PoliticalStudies.org/Review * The virtue of this book is to challenge the hegemony of the practice of market liberalism from a communitarian perspective, and to attempt to draw practical implications for social policy. -- Takeshi NakanoMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 233 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
345 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7486-1543-8 (9780748615438)
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08/2019
1st Edition
Edinburgh University Press
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Previous edition
Book
Edinburgh University Press
€75.71
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Person
Adrian Little is Professor of Political Theory at the University of Melbourne. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences in Australia in recognition of his research in areas including political theory, democratic politics, Indigenous-settler relations and the politics of Northern Ireland. Previous books include Enduring Conflict (Bloomsbury, 2014), Democratic Piety (Edinburgh University Press, 2008), Democracy and Northern Ireland (Palgrave, 2004) and The Politics of Community (Edinburgh University Press, 2002).
Content
Introduction; Chapter One: Theorising Community; Chapter Two: Communitarianism and Liberalism: The Philosophical Debate; Chapter Three: Political Communitarianism: Towards Moral Authoritarianism; Chapter Four: Radical Theories of Community: Beyond Orthodox Communitarianism; Chapter Five: Community and Economy: Rethinking Work?; Chapter Six: Community and Society: The Implications for Social Policy; Chapter Seven: Repoliticising Community: Towards Democratic Renewal; Chapter Eight: Pluralism, Community and Civil Society; Conclusion; Bibliography.