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The Political Theory of Recognition

A Critical Introduction
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
In The Political Theory of Recognition, Simon Thompson explores the shift in political thought from traditional concerns like class and economy to issues of identity, culture, and difference. Examining the work of Charles Taylor, Axel Honneth, and Nancy Fraser, Thompson explains how the concept of recognition serves as a foundation for justice in society, addressing questions about individual rights, cultural value, and group representation. This clear and accessible introduction sheds light on the ongoing debate between multiculturalism and its critics.
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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 scholars of political theory, social justice advocates, and anyone seeking a foundational understanding of contemporary debates on identity, equality and multiculturalism.

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This clear and accessible book provides an excellent guide through the ongoing and increasingly significant debate between multiculturalism and its critics. Focusing on the work on Charles Taylor, Axel Honneth and Nancy Fraser, Simon Thompson analyses the argument that a just society is one that shows all its members due recognition.

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

In recent years the political landscape has changed: established ideas about class, economy, nation and equality have been challenged by a new politics of identity, culture, ethnicity and difference. The political theory of recognition is a response to these challenges.

In this, the first introductory book on the subject, Simon Thompson analyses the argument that a just society is one that shows all its members due recognition. Focusing on the work of Charles Taylor, Axel Honneth and Nancy Fraser, he discusses how political theorists have conceptualised recognition, the different accounts they have given and the criticisms made of the very idea of a politics of recognition. Through the political theory of recognition, Thompson argues, we gain a better understanding of identity and difference. Practically, the concept of recognition can serve as a basis for determining which individual rights should be protected, whether cultures ought to be valued, and whether a case can be made for group representation.

This clear and accessible book provides an excellent guide through the ongoing and increasingly significant debate between multiculturalism and its critics.

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?

Nancy Fraser of the New School for Social Research praises the book as a "comprehensive overview" of recognition debates, noting it is "scrupulously fair and bursting with insights." Paul Kelly from the London School of Economics commends it as a "sure-footed guide" and "required reading" for those interested in democratic inclusion, identity politics, and equality, highlighting Thompson's mastery and authoritative treatment of key theorists.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780745627625

Publisher: John Wiley and Sons Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 11 August 2006

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Polity Press

Audience: Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 17.0mm

Width: 152.0mm

Height: 229.0mm

Weight: 340g

Pages: 224

About the Author

Simon Thompson is a lecturer in politics at the University of the West of England, Bristol.

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