Description
Book SynopsisIn The Principle of Fairness and Political Obligation, George Klosko presents the first book-length treatment of political obligation grounded in the premises of liberal political theory. In this now-classic work, he clearly and systematically formulates what others thought impossible-a principle of fairness that specifies a set of conditions which grounds existing political obligations and bridges the gap between the abstract accounts of political principles and the actual beliefs of political actors. Brought up-to-date with a new introduction, this new edition will be of great interest to all interested in political thought.
Trade ReviewThe argument developed in Klosko's book is worth wrestling with, for there is much to think about in this work and very little to distract. -- Greg Hill * The Review of Politics *
In grappling with Klosko's arguments one learns much about the theory of fairness itself, and the book is a model of lucid and fair-minded exposition. It provides a nice counterpoint to the skeptical position popular among some liberal theorists. -- Leslie Green * Ethics: An International Journal of Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy *
Anyone interested in the problem of political obligation will be stimulated by this book, which provides a good sustained argument for a plausible account of political obligation that is worthy of careful consideration. -- Donald Becker * American Political Science Review *
Klosko's clear and well-written book is the most comprehensive attempt yet to argue for the existence of political obligations from the Principle of Fairness. -- Jonathan Wolff * Mind: A Quarterly Review of Philosophy *
George Klosko has performed an invaluable service by, for the first time, setting out the fairness theory of political obligation with thoroughness and some detail. He has ensured that hereafter the fairness theory will need to be subjected to proper critical discussion in any serious treatment of political obligation and his statement of the theory is by some way the best available. -- John Horton * Political Studies Review *
Klosko's analysis is based on a commonsense idea of fairness, rather than on policy consequences and outcomes. It recognizes the fuzzy—even tragic—nature of political reality. In a less than perfect world, we must be (and generally are) satisfied with 'good enough.' Klosko's great achievement is to show with rigor what we implicitly mean by 'good enough' when determining whether individuals are even obligated to political communities in a world of uncertainty and unclarity. This compact and readable work should be of interest to more than professional political philosophers. Highly recommended. * CHOICE *
The book is an exemplar of close and careful arguement, fairness, and clarity. Further, even with the developments over the last twelve years, the book retains the virtue of being a terrific introduction to the topics of political obligation and legitimacy more generally. -- Andrew Rehfeld * Ethics: An International Journal of Social, Political, and Legal Philosophy *
Table of ContentsChapter 1 New Introduction Chapter 2 Preface Chapter 3 Political Obligation Chapter 4 The Principle of Fairness Chapter 5 Political Precepts Chapter 6 Discretionary Public Goods Chapter 7 Fairness Theory Chapter 8 Fairness, Utilitarianism, and Consent Chapter 9 Appendix I: Parfit's Moral Arithmetic and the Obligation to Obey the Law Chapter 10 Appendix II: The Principle of Fairness and Political Attitudes Chapter 11 Bibliography Chapter 12 Index
