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The Moral Foundations of Politics

By Ian Shapiro
Series: The Open Yale Courses
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
The Moral Foundations of Politics by Ian Shapiro investigates the enduring question of when governments deserve our support and when they do not. Drawing from his acclaimed Yale courses, Shapiro navigates through the chief theories of political legitimacy, beginning with Enlightenment thinkers such as utilitarians, Marxists, and social contract theorists. He then explores the anti-Enlightenment tradition from Burke to modern post-modernists, before assessing democracy's achievements and flaws as the root of political allegiance. The book provides a clear and engaging introduction to vital debates on the basis of political obligation.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book is ideal for students and readers interested in political theory, philosophy, and contemporary debates about government legitimacy and democracy. It serves both newcomers and those familiar with political science who seek a lucid yet thorough treatment of foundational political concepts.

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Investigates a political dilemma, and evaluates answers that have been proposed in the utilitarian, Marxist, social contract, anti-Enlightenment, and democratic traditions.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

When do governments merit our allegiance, and when should they be denied it? Ian Shapiro explores this most enduring of political dilemmas in this innovative and engaging book. Building on his highly popular Yale courses, Professor Shapiro evaluates the main contending accounts of the sources of political legitimacy.

Starting with theorists of the Enlightenment, he examines the arguments put forward by utilitarians, Marxists, and theorists of the social contract. Next, he turns to the anti-Enlightenment tradition that stretches from Edmund Burke to contemporary post-modernists.

In the last part of the book, Shapiro examines partisans and critics of democracy from Plato’s time until our own. He concludes with an assessment of democracy’s strengths and limitations as the font of political legitimacy.

The Moral Foundations of Politics offers a lucid and accessible introduction to urgent ongoing conversations about the sources of political allegiance.

Series: The Open Yale Courses

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Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Praised for clarity and depth, The Moral Foundations of Politics reaffirms Ian Shapiro's status as a leading political theorist. Adolph Reed, Jr. at the New School for Social Research calls it a compelling and well-grounded work. The Harvard Law Review highlights its blend of rigorous political science and accessibility, making complex theory approachable for newcomers. Jennifer Hochschild of Harvard University commends its rare combination of sweeping scope with precise insights, making the book valuable on many levels.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780300185454

Publisher: Yale University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 October 2012

Country: United States

Imprint: Yale University Press

Illustration: 8 graphs

Audience: Tertiary education

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 19.0mm

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 235.0mm

Weight: 386g

Pages: 304

Collections

Education & Reference Ian Shapiro Non-Fiction Philosophy & Psychology Philosophy & Stoicism Politics & Current Affairs Series: The Open Yale Courses

About the Author

Ian Shapiro is Sterling Professor of Political Science and Henry R. Luce Director of the MacMillan Center for International and Area Studies at Yale University. Among his many books are Democratic Justice and, with Donald Green, Pathologies of Rational Choice Theory, both published by Yale University Press. He lives in New Haven, CT.

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