Toward a Global Thin Community

Mark Olssen is Professor of Political Theory and Education Policy in the Department of Political, International, and Policy Studies at the University of Surrey. He is coauthor recently with John Codd and Anne Marie O'Neill of Education Policy: Globalization, Citizenship, Democracy (Sage, 2004); and editor with Michael Peters and Colin Lankshear of Futures of Critical Theory (Rowman and Littlefield, 2003).

"Mark Olssen has written an ambitious book that grapples with both theoretical subtleties and the complexities of our contemporary situation. His proposed 'thin communitarianism' recognizes our social constitution while avoiding the totalitarian temptations that often haunt communitarian thought. The scope and sensitivity of this work constitute a real contribution to thinking about the politics of our time. —Todd May, Lemon Professor of Political Philosophy at Clemson University, and author of Giles Deleuze, Cambridge University Press, 2005. "Olssen's book breathes new life into the debates around liberalism and politics. His grasp of diverse philosophical traditions is stunning. This is an extremely erudite but eminently practical exercise which articulates an original but very topical 'third position' in political philosophy. Sociologists, political scientists and philosophers will all find themselves fascinated and challenged by Olssen's arguments." —Stephen J Ball FBA AcSS, Karl Mannheim Professor of Sociology of Education, Editor Journal of Education Policy Education Foundations and Policy Studies Institute of Education, University of London "In this wide-ranging and well-argued book, Mark Olssen skilfully exposes the limitations of liberalism and communitarianism, and offers a richer view of the human self. He uses it to advance a philosophically sophisticated and politically realistic global ethics that is sensitive both to human solidarity and national differences. A rich book. Warmly to be welcomed." —Lord Bhikhu Parekh, member of the House of Lords, Professor of Political Philosophy at the University of Westminster, and winner of the Sir Isaiah Berlin Prize for Political Philosophy in 2002. "Mark Olssen's Toward a Global Thin Community is an intellectually energizing and beautifully written book. Refusing to accept either an individualism without limits or a notion of freedom removed from wider social responsibilities, he provides a vigorous defense of the common good, democracy, and public life. Not only does he offer the reader a useful understanding of the varied discourses of liberalism and communitarianism, he also draws upon a number of philosophical traditions to give us a brilliant and original theory of democracy. Olssen has produced a book of great insight, conviction, and hope for those of us concerned about the fate of democracy in the new millennium."-Henry Giroux, Global Television Network Chair Professor Communication and English Faculty of Humanities, McMaster University "Mark Olssen's book is well researched and erudite...[he] deals with theoretical or philosophical issues and problems of contemporary politics equally well. Not only does he show the relevance of Nietzsche and Foucault today, but he also demonstrates the importance of political theory and philosophy for grappling with the complexities of the global politics of our time. Overall, this is in important, challenging and rewarding book."-Evangelia Sembou, Foucault Studies, No. 13, pp 201-204, May 2012

• Chapter 1 Introduction: The 'Thin' Community and Liberalism; Part I Two Thinkers; Chapter 2 Nietzsche and the Philosophy of the Future; Chapter 3 Foucault as 'Thin' Communitarian; Part II Assembling Normative Theory; Chapter 4 A Post-Structuralist Approach to Community; Chapter 5 Toward a Social Theory of Practice; Chapter 6 Life as Good and Bad; Chapter 7 Universalism, Cultural Pluralism, and the Ethics of the Future; Part Three Toward a Global Thin Community; Chapter 8 The Necessity of Co-Ordination; Chapter 9 Communitarian Cosmopolitanism; Chapter 10 Toward a Global Thin Community;