Description
Book SynopsisThis unusual introduction to political philosophy draws on its history and main theories_classic liberal, democratic, socialist, radical_with an eye to how each sees the place of the individual in the political order.
Trade ReviewAn enjoyable, breezy book that is sure to generate much thought and much comment. . . . Recommended. Two-star review. * CHOICE, March 2009 *
Since the Western tradition of political philosophy first took root in ancient Greece, it has grappled with three overarching questions: What, if anything justifies the government's existence? Assuming that government can be justified or is simply found to be inevitable, what form should it take? And what should the government do? . . . Jan Narveson's most recent book, You and the State: A Fairly Brief Introduction to Political Philosophy, has the virtue of paying due attention to all three of the big questions, treating them in an accessible and engaging manner well suited to anyone exploring the subject for the first time. * The Independent Review: A Journal of Political Economy, Fall 2009 *
Narveson offers a refreshingly straightforward introduction to the major schools of political philosophy in which he lays bare his own unvarnished opinions about the proper role of government in the lives of individuals. The animated journey through classical philosophical ideas and texts winds up at an unusual and intriguing destination few of us bother to seriously consider, but probably should: a state of no state that Narveson lauds as capitalist anarchism. -- Hawley Fogg-Davis, Temple University
Table of ContentsPart 1 Preface Part 2 Chapter One: What is political philosophy about? Why do it? Part 3 Chapter Two: Right and Might Part 4 Chapter Three: Pushing the Good - Conservatism and the Guardian State Part 5 Chapter Four: Classical Liberalism and the Minimal State Part 6 Chapter Five: Democracy - All Power to the People? Part 7 Chapter Six: The Modern (Welfare, Regulative) State Part 8 Chapter Seven: War and Peace, Immigration, Trade Part 9 Chapter Eight: Taking Anarchism Seriously
