Albert Weale is Emeritus Professor of Political Theory and Public Policy, University College London. His research has concentrated on issues of political theory and public policy, especially health policy, environmental policy, the theory of justice, and democratic theory. In addition to over one hundred papers and chapters, he has authored, co-authored or co-edited eighteen books. These include, with others, Democratic Justice and the Social Contract (OUP, 2013), Environmental Governance in Europe (OUP, 2000) and the edited volume Risk, Democratic Citizenship, and Public Policy (OUP, 2002).

Weale here offers a sweeping review of the entire 20th century's social contract thought ... As a contribution, this book serves as a thoughtful and critical exploration of 20th-century social contract thought.

• Part I: Constructing Contract Theory 1: The Rebirth of Contract Theory 2: The Twilight of Utilitarianism 3: Contractual Constructions 4: Contractual Rationalities Part II: The Theory of Content 5: Rational Choosers 6: Constitutional Uncertainties 7: Bargained Justice 8: Veiled Deliberation 9: Decent Reasoning 10: Living Together Reasonably Part III: The Theory of Obligation 11: The Limits of Liberty 12: Constraining Maximization 13: Fairness, Goodness, Reasonableness 14: Grounding Obligations 15: Justification to Others Part IV: The Progress of Contract Theory 16: Contractual Reconstructions 17: Social Contract as Domination 18: A Method of Ethics? 19: Contractual Constitutions

Albert Weale is Emeritus Professor of Political Theory and Public Policy, University College London. His research has concentrated on issues of political theory and public policy, especially health policy, environmental policy, the theory of justice, and democratic theory. In addition to over one hundred papers and chapters, he has authored, co-authored or co-edited eighteen books. These include, with others, Democratic Justice and the Social Contract (OUP, 2013), Environmental Governance in Europe (OUP, 2000) and the edited volume Risk, Democratic Citizenship, and Public Policy (OUP, 2002).

Weale here offers a sweeping review of the entire 20th century's social contract thought ... As a contribution, this book serves as a thoughtful and critical exploration of 20th-century social contract thought.

• Part I: Constructing Contract Theory 1: The Rebirth of Contract Theory 2: The Twilight of Utilitarianism 3: Contractual Constructions 4: Contractual Rationalities Part II: The Theory of Content 5: Rational Choosers 6: Constitutional Uncertainties 7: Bargained Justice 8: Veiled Deliberation 9: Decent Reasoning 10: Living Together Reasonably Part III: The Theory of Obligation 11: The Limits of Liberty 12: Constraining Maximization 13: Fairness, Goodness, Reasonableness 14: Grounding Obligations 15: Justification to Others Part IV: The Progress of Contract Theory 16: Contractual Reconstructions 17: Social Contract as Domination 18: A Method of Ethics? 19: Contractual Constitutions