Politics: Key Concepts in Philosophy

Iain MacKenzie is Lecturer in Political Theory at the University of Kent, UK. His previous publications include Political Concepts: A Reader and Guide (Edinburgh UP, 2005) and The Idea of Pure Critique (Continuum, 2004).Iain Mackenzie is reader in politics at University of Kent, UK.

A superbly well-written study of the philosophical roots of contemporary political life. While recognising that our political problems may not be identical to those that motivated classical political philosophers MacKenzie shows how their work is reinterpreted to address contemporary issues. Deftly weaving together exegesis of texts with analysis of concepts and values this book will be of interest to students and general readers alike.

• Acknowledgements 1. Introduction What is politics? Government, governance and governmentalisation Norms and varieties of political philosophy The political and politicisation 2. Authority and Liberty Absolute authority Limits to authority Individual liberty Liberty and the general will 3. The State and Power The capitalist state The patriarchal state Three dimensions of power Power and normalisation 4.Social Justice and Equality The good life Value-pluralism Justice as fairness Justice as entitlement Care and justice The return of the good 5. Democracy and Political Order Democracy and disorder The value of political participation The difficult birth of liberal democracy From representative to deliberative democracyAgonism and political order 6. Culture and Critique Background to the culture debates Cultural membership as a primary good Minority cultures and the rights of women Women, culture and identity The fusion of horizonsIntersubjectivity and the politics of recognition 7. Conclusion: Identity, Difference and Political Philosophy French feminist critiques of identity The trouble with gender The challenge of difference Difference in political philosophy Difference and political philosophy BibliographyIndex