Description
Book SynopsisThis study finds the alternative standard of leadership that Americans are seeking in the classical philosophy of prudence. It brings together political scientists such as Ronald Beiner and George Anastaplo to discuss a standard of prudential leadership that is both reasonable and practical.
Trade ReviewEvery age requires prudence of its leaders and ours is certainly no different. These studies not only remind us of this truth but teach us what is truly at issue. -- James L. Wiser, University of San Francisco
Next to hope, prudence is modernity's most neglected political virtue. This astute combination of theory and case studies is a major step toward remedying this neglect. -- Clarke E. Cochran, Texas Tech University
Highly Recommended. * CHOICE *
The volume succeeds in making the case for regarding prudence as a moral virtue; in describing the utility of 'prudential leadership' as a device for interpreting historical and contemporary decisions ; nad in advocating the need for society's immanent ideals to be calibrated withing leaders' decision-making repetoires. * Political Studies Review *
Tempered Strength provides us with both a theoretical guide to the role of prudential leadership in the history of political philosophy, as well as practical guidance with regard to the exercise of such leadership (or at times, its lack) from ancient times to the present. The authors present a wide range of perspectives on leadership, and show how personal character, for better or worse, mattered to individual politicians from Frederick Douglass to Bill Clinton. Meditating on the nature and scope of prudential leadership as this volume does should be at the core of any serious study of politics in the future. -- Francis Fukuyama, author of The End of History and the Last Man
Table of ContentsPart 1 Foreword Part 2 Introduction: "What is Prudential Leadership?" Part 3 The Nature of Prudence Chapter 4 Prudence in Xenophon's Memorabilia and Cyropaedia Chapter 5 Thomas Aquinas on Magnanimous and Prudent Statemanship Chapter 6 The Role of Prudence in Burke's Politics Chapter 7 Bringing Prudence Back In: Leadership, Statescraft, and Political Science Chapter 10 A Postscript to Political Judgment Part 11 The Scope of Prudence Chapter 12 Political Judgment in Dark Times: Frederick Douglass and Slavery Chapter 13 Lincoln and the Emancipation Proclamation: A Model of Prudent Leadership Chapter 14 Prudence, Imprudence, and the Puzzle of Bill Clinton Chapter 15 Prudence and the Constitution: On the Year 2000 Presidential Election Controversy
