Description
Book SynopsisIn all societies, past and present, many persons and groups have been subject to domination. Properly understood, domination is a great evil, the suffering of which ought to be minimized so far as possible. Surprisingly, however, political and social theorists have failed to provide a detailed analysis of the concept of domination in general. This study aims to redress this lacuna. It argues first, that domination should be understood as a condition experienced by persons or groups to the extent that they are dependent on a social relationship in which some other person or group wields arbitrary power over them; this is termed the ''arbitrary power conception'' of domination. It argues second, that we should regard it as wrong to perpetrate or permit unnecessary domination and, thus, that as a matter of justice the political and social institutions and practices of any society should be organized so as to minimize avoidable domination; this is termed ''justice as minimizing domination'
Trade ReviewIt is surprising that a phenomenon of such obvious political and ethical significance as domination has largely escaped comprehensive analysis in the modern debate. As the title of Frank Lovett's book suggests, however, he aims to do something about this unfortunate fact. The result is a well researched and well argued book that deserves attentionLovett has thrown much needed light on a politically and morally consequential matter, and produced a work of impressive comprehensiveness in the process. Political philosophers and theorists will find much to engage with. * The Philosophical Quarterly *
Table of Contents1. Introduction ; PART ONE: DESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS ; 2. Social Relationships and Dependency ; 3. The Imbalance of Power Conception ; 4. Arbitrariness and Social Conventions ; PART TWO: NORMATIVE ANALYSIS ; 5. Domination and Human Flourishing ; 6. Domination and Justice ; 7. Applications of Minimizing Domination ; 8. Conclusion ; Appendix I: Historical Notes on 'Domination' ; Appendix II: Formal Models of Domination ; Bibliography
