Description
Book SynopsisPolitics Recovered brings together prominent scholars to develop the idea of what it might mean to theorize politics “realistically.” By exploring the nature, distinctiveness, and prospects of realist thought, it shows how political theory can provide meaningful and compelling answers to the fundamental questions of political life.
Trade ReviewAn outstanding collection, brimming with intelligence and insight.
Politics Recovered brings scholars of the new realist political thought into dialogue with fellow travelers, outright skeptics, and interestingly dubious allies who salute 'realism' while redefining or subverting what it means. This will be a perfect resource for students and researchers, a better guide to realism (and its discontents) than any single article or monograph. -- Andrew Sabl, Yale University
Politics Recovered is an impressive collection of original essays that constitutes a major contribution to the growing literature on political realism; an important and increasingly influential development in contemporary political theory. -- John Horton, Keele University
A good primer on basic issues in realism, and also on its diversity. As an introduction to the topic, it is an excellent overview and needed addition to undergraduate or research libraries. * Choice *
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Introduction: Politics Recovered—on the Revival of Realism in Contemporary Political Theory, by Matt Sleat
1. The Truth in Political Realism, by Charles Larmore
2. Realism and Surrealism in Political Philosophy, by Glen Newey
3. Realism in Ethics and Politics: Bernard Williams, Political Theory, and the Critique of Morality, by David Owen
4. Anger, Humiliation, and Political Theory: Bringing the Darker Passions Back In, by William A. Galston
5. Legitimacy and Domination, by Paul Sagar
6. Disenchantment Versus Reconstruction: Walter Lippmann, John Dewey, and Varieties of Democratic Realism, by John Medearis
7. The Paradox of the Democratic Prince: Machiavelli and the Neo-Machiavellians on Ideal Theory, Realism, and Democratic Leadership, by Richard Bellamy
8. Politics and the “Pure of Heart”: Realism and Corruption, by Mark Philp
9. Democracy’s Limit: A Realist Response to the Quest for Transparency, by Rahul Sagar
10. The Case for Kinship: Classical Realism and Political Realism, by Alison McQueen
11. Getting Past Schmitt? Realism and the Autonomy of Politics, by William E. Scheuerman
12. Security and Poverty: On Realism and Global Justice, by Duncan Bell
13. Feminism and Realism, by Elizabeth Frazer
14. Political Realism: A Reality Check, by Michael Freeden
List of Contributors
Index
