Overview
In Pluralism and Liberal Democracy one of the country's most distinguished political theorists turns to the task of how best to explain, justify, and encourage the concept, practice, and institutionalization of pluralism. By examining and analyzing the accounts and explanations of four philosophers-William James, Hannah Arendt, Stuart Hampshire, and Michael Oakeshott-Richard E. Flathman augments the theories of pluralism most familiar to students and scholars of politics and political theory. Flathman delves into a number of writings by and about these philosophers, weaving their philosophical theories into the ideology of liberalism. Among the works he studies are James's Some Problems of Philosophy, Arendt's The Origins of Totalitarianism, Hampshire's Freedom of Mind, and Oakeshott's On Human Conduct. Flathman finds that pluralism's relation to liberalism has been challenged by the recent emergence of pluralities widely thought to threaten states and societies-such as separatist and secessionist movements. The tension between the desire for unity and the embrace of diversity has created vigorous disagreement about the nature of pluralism and its relation to liberalism. The philosophers studied here embrace these conflicts and challenges, further invigorating a political concept Flathman regards as a centerpiece of liberalism.
Full Product Details
Author: Richard E. Flathman (The George Armstrong Kelly Memorial Professor of Political Science, The Johns Hopkins University)
Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
Imprint: Johns Hopkins University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.20cm
, Height: 2.20cm
, Length: 22.90cm
Weight: 0.454kg
ISBN: 9780801882159
ISBN 10: 080188215
Pages: 232
Publication Date: 09 November 2005
Recommended Age: From 17
Audience:
College/higher education
,
Professional and scholarly
,
Undergraduate
,
Postgraduate, Research & Scholarly
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Out of stock
The supplier is temporarily out of stock of this item. It will be ordered for you on backorder and shipped when it becomes available.
Reviews
Flatham explores varieties of pluralism more broadly and deeply than is typical in contemporary moral and political theory, and identifies a fund of viable pluralist theories that can inform a richer and more defensible account of liberalism. - William Galston, Maryland School of Public Policy
Offers a deeply pondered analysis. -- Noel O'Sullivan Political Studies Review 2006 Revealing, thought-provoking, and rewarding. -- Robert B. Talisse Social Theory and Practice 2007 Much to admire in this characteristically provocative and scholarly book. -- John Christman Ethics 2007 Helps us understand the complex ways in which the pluralist sensibility opens the path to a richer and more psychologically realistic liberalism. -- William A. Galston Perspectives on Politics 2006
Author Information
Richard E. Flathman is the George Armstrong Kelly Memorial Professor of Political Science at the Johns Hopkins University.
