Description
Book SynopsisPhilp explores how political processes and practices shape political values like liberty, justice, equality, and democracy. Mining the history of political episodes and political thinkers, including Caesar and Machiavelli, Philp argues that through political activity “values are articulated and embraced, and they become powerful motivating forces.”
Trade ReviewPolitical Conduct counters political theory's overemphasis on the identification of needs and obligations with some original ideas about the ways in which we act under the constraints of political society. Political theorists and political scientists alike will welcome its more concrete approach to the study of political morality. -- Bernard Yack, Brandeis University
Philp has produced a provocative, highly readable, and engaging philosophy of political practice––a morality for the political process. Philp does an important and often amazing thing: he restores to politics the idea of the leader as an agent of change. -- Senator Gary Hart
Table of ContentsIntroduction Part 1: Rulers 1. Rendering unto Caesar 2. Machiavelli and Political Virtue 3. The Character of Political Rule 4. Resolved to Rule 5. Must Power Corrupt? Part 2: Servants, Followers, and Officials 6. Loyalty in Politics 7. Officials and Public Servants Part 3: Subjects, Citizens, and Institutions 8. Resistance and Protest 9. Democratic Citizenship 10. Institutions and Integrity Notes Index
