Bhikhu Parekh – författare

First published in 1973. Few concepts in the modern age have created more controversy in the discussion of social, moral, and political issues than that of ideology. Ever since the term was coined by Destutt de Tracy to refer to a scientific study of the origin of ideas, its meaning has undergone a series of mutation, until we have reached the stage where ideology can now be used to refer to almost any organized body of beliefs.

Amidst these changes in the meaning of the term certain common preoccupations are detectable and certain fundamental problems remain. Is human reason capable of comprehending reality ''as it is''? Or is its approach necessarily influenced by the thinker''s values, personal or class interests and personal or social prejudices? Is human reason a culturally neutral instrument or a socially acquired capacity that is unconsciously shaped by a particular historical age or society or class? There are fundamental problems too concerning the internal structure and rationale of specific ideologies such as conservatism, pluralism, and apartheid.

This title will be of great interest to students of philosophy and politics.

First published in 1973. Few concepts in the modern age have created more controversy in the discussion of social, moral, and political issues than that of ideology. Ever since the term was coined by Destutt de Tracy to refer to a scientific study of the origin of ideas, its meaning has undergone a series of mutation, until we have reached the stage where ideology can now be used to refer to almost any organized body of beliefs.

Amidst these changes in the meaning of the term certain common preoccupations are detectable and certain fundamental problems remain. Is human reason capable of comprehending reality ''as it is''? Or is its approach necessarily influenced by the thinker''s values, personal or class interests and personal or social prejudices? Is human reason a culturally neutral instrument or a socially acquired capacity that is unconsciously shaped by a particular historical age or society or class? There are fundamental problems too concerning the internal structure and rationale of specific ideologies such as conservatism, pluralism, and apartheid.

This title will be of great interest to students of philosophy and politics.

The Indian diaspora is one of the largest and most significant in the world today with between nine and twelve million people of Indian origin living outside South Asia. With successive waves of migration over the last two hundred years to almost every continent, it has assumed increasing self-consciousness and importance. Culture and Economy in the Indian Diaspora examines the Indian diaspora in Mauritius, South Africa, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, Trinidad, Australia, the US, Canada and the UK and addresses the core issues of demography, economy, culture and future development. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the crucial relationship between culture and economy in the diaspora over time. This book will appeal to all those interested in transnational communities, migration, ethnicity and racial studies, and South Asia.

The Indian diaspora is one of the largest and most significant in the world today with between nine and twelve million people of Indian origin living outside South Asia. With successive waves of migration over the last two hundred years to almost every continent, it has assumed increasing self-consciousness and importance. Culture and Economy in the Indian Diaspora examines the Indian diaspora in Mauritius, South Africa, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, the Middle East, Trinidad, Australia, the US, Canada and the UK and addresses the core issues of demography, economy, culture and future development. It provides a comprehensive analysis of the crucial relationship between culture and economy in the diaspora over time. This book will appeal to all those interested in transnational communities, migration, ethnicity and racial studies, and South Asia.

Bringing together distinguished experts in the field of race relations this book addresses questions which are increasingly relevant in the current socio-political context of Great Britain. The kind of visions of multicultural Britain which are currently being canvassed and the problems which ethnic minorities continue to face are addressed, together with an examination of the new policy initiatives which are needed to tackle these problems. Race Relations in Britain falls into three parts which:* analyse contemporary trends, articulating a vision of multicultural Britain and exploring important theoretical controversies* identify the obstacles that stand in the way of a racism-free Britain, looking at current policy in areas such as immigration, employment, education, the criminal justice system as well as the role of the media* offer a vision of a multi-cultural Britain, advancing new policies based on current research.

Bringing together distinguished experts in the field of race relations this book addresses questions which are increasingly relevant in the current socio-political context of Great Britain. The kind of visions of multicultural Britain which are currently being canvassed and the problems which ethnic minorities continue to face are addressed, together with an examination of the new policy initiatives which are needed to tackle these problems. Race Relations in Britain falls into three parts which:* analyse contemporary trends, articulating a vision of multicultural Britain and exploring important theoretical controversies* identify the obstacles that stand in the way of a racism-free Britain, looking at current policy in areas such as immigration, employment, education, the criminal justice system as well as the role of the media* offer a vision of a multi-cultural Britain, advancing new policies based on current research.

Jeremy Bentham, the father of utilitarianism, not only created a philosophical system which sought a rational solution to the problems of ethics, but was also concerned with the practical application of his theories to social reforms, administration, education and the law. This reissued volume represents a comprehensive collection of essays on Bentham’s work from J. S. Mill to the year of the book’s first publication in 1974.

The wide range of Bentham’s concern and the varied reactions he provoked are well represented by the essays in this volume. It begins with Mill’s famous appraisal of the virtues and deficiencies of the theory that had so much influence on his own, followed by the criticisms of perhaps the ablest of Bentham’s (and Mill’s) contemporary opponents, William Whewell. Bentham’s psychology and analysis of human motivation is dealt with by John Watson, and in the editor’s own essay on the thorny problem of the justification of the principle of utility, the whole question of the link between specific human desires and the general desire for pleasure is examined as a psychological as well as a logical problem.

The seldom-considered subject of Bentham’s logic and the way in which he anticipates in some respects the work of Frege and Wittgenstein is considered by H. L. A. Hart, who has also contributed a paper on the question of sovereignty. Bentham’s Political Fallacies is examined by Professor Burns, and the Constitutional Code and its projection of Bentham’s ideal republic as considered by Thomas Peardon makes interesting reading in the light of David Robert’s analysis of the impact Bentham had on the Victorian administrative state. Finally, there is Wesley C. Mitchell’s interesting paper on the notorious felicific calculus.

The editor has written an extensive introduction which will prove useful not only to those unfamiliar with Bentham’s writings but to those acquainted with only one aspect of his work. Philosophers, jurists and political scientists should all find something of interest in this collection.

Jeremy Bentham, the father of utilitarianism, not only created a philosophical system which sought a rational solution to the problems of ethics, but was also concerned with the practical application of his theories to social reforms, administration, education and the law. This reissued volume represents a comprehensive collection of essays on Bentham’s work from J. S. Mill to the year of the book’s first publication in 1974.

The wide range of Bentham’s concern and the varied reactions he provoked are well represented by the essays in this volume. It begins with Mill’s famous appraisal of the virtues and deficiencies of the theory that had so much influence on his own, followed by the criticisms of perhaps the ablest of Bentham’s (and Mill’s) contemporary opponents, William Whewell. Bentham’s psychology and analysis of human motivation is dealt with by John Watson, and in the editor’s own essay on the thorny problem of the justification of the principle of utility, the whole question of the link between specific human desires and the general desire for pleasure is examined as a psychological as well as a logical problem.

The seldom-considered subject of Bentham’s logic and the way in which he anticipates in some respects the work of Frege and Wittgenstein is considered by H. L. A. Hart, who has also contributed a paper on the question of sovereignty. Bentham’s Political Fallacies is examined by Professor Burns, and the Constitutional Code and its projection of Bentham’s ideal republic as considered by Thomas Peardon makes interesting reading in the light of David Robert’s analysis of the impact Bentham had on the Victorian administrative state. Finally, there is Wesley C. Mitchell’s interesting paper on the notorious felicific calculus.

The editor has written an extensive introduction which will prove useful not only to those unfamiliar with Bentham’s writings but to those acquainted with only one aspect of his work. Philosophers, jurists and political scientists should all find something of interest in this collection.