Description
Book SynopsisThis study offers solutions to the intellectual rigidity and theoretical fragmentation that characterize much contemporary debate in political philosophy. It offers interpretations of republicans such as Aristotle, Machiavelli and Rousseau, and liberals such as Locke, Smith and Mill.
Trade ReviewRon Terchek has made a major contribution to the liberal-communitarian debate . . . with his rich, complex reading of classic texts . . . Tercheck's work should move the contemporary debate onto new ground. -- Suzanne D. Jacobitti, Southern Illinois University, Edwardsville
Liberals and communitarians have long criticized each other, but here is a book that invites them to listen to one another . . . This is a doubly admirable book. The scholarship is first rate, and the presentation is remarkably even handed and open minded. -- Alfonso J. Damico, University of Iowa
By inviting us to return to the past, Terchek has done us a service. * American Political Science Review *
Terchek is to be commended for "welcoming politics back to theory". . . * The Review of Politics *
Ronald J Terchek gazes upon the liberal/communitarian debate from an entirely new direction, essentially from the past. In arguing that both contemporary liberals and communitarians have neglected important parts of their own traditions. Tercheck journeys back to what he calls strong republicans (Aristotle, Machiavelli, and Rousseau) and anxious liberals (Locke, Smith, and J.S. Mill) to show that the earlier republicans/communiatrian and liberal philosophies were more complex and more subtle than often supposed. In doing this, Terchek has written an insightful book that is a good warning to all of us not to simplify classical and early modern thinkers in the European tradition. -- Roger Boesche * Political Theory, December 1998 *
Ronald Tercheck is a thoughtful and knowledgeable interpreter of the liberal and Republican traditions in political theory . . . he summons his insight . . . to deepen and refine our understanding of the purposes and problems of contemporary liberal democracy. -- Thomas Spragens, Duke University
An intelligent, well-written, and well-researched account of present discontents. -- P. Coby, Smith College * CHOICE, October 1998, Vol. 36 No.2 *
Terchek's book is an admirable extension of the practice of politcal theory today. -- Amy R. McCready, Bucknell University * Government and Politics *
