Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 320.011
EAN: 9780192803955
ISBN: 0192803956
Label: Oxford University Press, USA
Manufacturer: Oxford University Press, USA
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 160
Publication Date: September 18, 2003
Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA
Sales Rank: 46487
Studio: Oxford University Press, USA

---

Related Items:

• Politics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
• The Philosophy of Law: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
• Democracy: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
• International Relations: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
• Economics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)
• see more

---

Editorial Review:

Product Description:
This Introduction introduces readers to the concepts of political philosophy: authority, democracy, freedom and its limits, justice, feminism, multiculturalism, and nationality. Accessibly written and assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, it encourages the reader to think clearly and critically about the leading political questions of our time. THe book first investigates how politcial philosophy tackles basic ethical questions such as 'how should we live together in society?' It furthermore looks at political authority, discusses the reasons society needs politics in the first place, explores the limitations of politics, and asks if there are areas of life that shouldn't be governed by politics. Moreover, the book explores the connections between political authority and justice, a constant theme in political philosophy, and the ways in which social justice can be used to regulate rather than destroy a market economy. In his travels through this realm, Miller covers why nations are the natural units of government and wonders if the rise of multiculturalism and transnational co-operation will change all this, and asks in the end if we will ever see the formation of a world government.




Rating: - short on contemporary and alternative/critical theorists
I've just been skimming the book I picked up from the library, but I'm quite disappointed not to find in the index any of the following names who represent thinkers from the critical theory, Continental, communitarian traditions: Adorno, Habermas, MacIntyre, Strauss, etc. True, Miller has very little room to work with, but with an introductory book like this I like to get a lay of the land and a sense of how key (contemporary) thinkers think. I suspect Miller does a good job of laying out the main ... Read More

---

Rating: - A good summary of western political philosophy
I have to disagree with the other reviewer. Overall this is a pretty objective overview of mainstream political philosophy covering Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, social contract theory, justice, liberty, freedom, feminism, Marx and so on. Miller's method of asking childish, almost infantile, questions about the possibility of modern democracy, global justice, and freedom opens up some very interesting avenues of inquiry (childish questions are the mark of a true philosopher). Additionally Miller's emphasis ... Read More

---

Rating: - ...
My review of this book will be very short: It should be titled "David Miller's Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction". I bought the book expecting to be introduced to political philosophy, but I find that I have learned more about Miller's opinions (however mainstream) than political philosophy itself. It's like trying to learn from a salesman rather than a teacher--you will learn something, but it's still annoying. The caliber of the Very Short Introduction series is generally higher.

---

Browse for similar items by category:

• Qualifying Textbooks - Custom Stores - Specialty Stores - Books - General AAS
• Philosophy - Nonfiction - Subjects - Books - Political
• Philosophy - Nonfiction - Subjects - Books - General
• Philosophy - Nonfiction - Subjects - Books - General AAS
• Freedom & Security - Politics - Nonfiction - Subjects - Books - General