Republicanism

A Theory of Freedom and Government

Philip Pettit

Republicanism

A Theory of Freedom and Government

Philip Pettit

Description

This is the first full-length presentation of a republican alternative to the liberal and communitarian theories that have dominated political philosophy in recent years. The latest addition to the acclaimed Oxford Political Theory series, Pettit's eloquent and compelling account opens with an examination of the traditional republican conception of freedom as non-domination, contrasting this with established negative and positive views of liberty.

The first part of the book traces the rise and decline of this conception, displays its many attractions, and makes a case for why it should still be regarded as a central political ideal. The second part of the book looks at what the implementation of the ideal would require with regard to substantive policy-making, constitutional and democratic design, regulatory control and the relation between state and civil society. Prominent in this account is a novel concept of democracy, under which government is exposed to systematic contestation, and a vision of state-societal relations founded upon civility and trust.

Pettit's powerful and insightful new work offers not only a unified, theoretical overview of the many strands of republican ideas, but also a new and sophisticated perspective on studies in related fields including the history of ideas, jurisprudence, and criminology.

Republicanism

A Theory of Freedom and Government

Philip Pettit

Oxford Political Theory

PART 1. REPUBLICANISM FREEDOM
Before Negative and Positive Liberty
Liberty as Non-domination
Non-domination as a Political Ideal
Liberty, Equality, Community
PART II. REPUBLICAN GOVERNMENT
Republican Aims: Causes and Policies
Republican Forms: Constitutionalism and Democracy
Checking the Republic
Civilising the Republic
Republicanism: A Propositional Summary
Republicanism: Once More with Hindsight

Republicanism

A Theory of Freedom and Government

Philip Pettit

Oxford Political Theory

Reviews and Awards

Named a 1998 Outstanding Academic Book by Choice

"Pettit offers a powerful explication and vindication of republicanism as a viable political philosophy for our times....The book is compelling because of Pettit's clarity and originality, as well as his choice of nondomination as the core of republicanism....Highly recommended for upper-division undergraduates as well as more advanced readers."--Choice