Contemporary Political Philosophy

Book excerpt: This monumental volume provides the most comprehensive and authoritative collection of the essential primary readings in post-war political philosophy. The anthology includes classic articles on the nature of the state, democracy, justice, rights, liberty, equality, and oppression. It sets work in politics, law, and economics alongside philosophical texts; work of continental philosophers alongside analytic philosophers; work of feminists, marxists, and other radicals alongside that of more traditional liberals. This new edition updates the existing sections, taking into account recent developments in the field, and adds a new section of articles reflecting the pressing interests in international affairs - just war, self-determination and the nation state, and global governance. Together with the Companion to Contemporary Political Philosophy (Blackwell, 1993), this volume forms the basis for a truly systematic introduction to political philosophy as it is practiced today.