Political theory has expanded, diversified, and, some would argue, fragmented. This 1997 book presents work from leading scholars in various fields and reflects key debates in political theory. Its summary discussions will ensure it becomes a key text in political theory courses. Skillfully edited by Andrew Vincent, the book includes such topics as the relationship between history and theory; utilitarianism and rational choice; republicanism; multiculturalism and postcolonial theory; hermeneutics; feminism; communitarianism, and poststructuralism. While these chapters reflect the state of political theory, they also contemplate the state of the discipline more broadly. This will be an extremely important book for anyone studying political theory.
Preface; Introduction Andrew Vincent; 1. Political theory and conceptual change Terence Ball; 2. Poltical theory and the problem of anachronism Conal Condren; 3. Utilitarianism as a public philosophy Robert E. Goodin; 4. Rational choice political theory Geoffrey Brennan; 5. Republican political theory Philip Pettit; 6. Liberalism multiculturalism and oppression Chandran Kukathas; 7. Postcolonialism and political theory Duncan Ivison; 8. Legal positivism and political power Tom D. Campbell; 9. Political theory international theory and the political theory of international relations David Boucher; 10. Method matters: feminism interpretation and politics Elizabeth Frazer; 11. Deleuze and Guattari's political philosophy Paul Patton; 12. The object of political theory Barry Hindness.
