Political Philosophers of the Twentieth Century

This volume provides an outstanding survey of the major political philosophers of the twentieth century. Michael H. Lessnoff demonstrates the absurdity of the view that political philosophy "died" in the twentieth century. In this clear, acute and authoritative treatment, he demonstrates that the twentieth century has produced a galaxy of political philosophers who can stand comparison with those of any earlier period. Originality in political theory was sparked by new political problems and crises, of which this most political of centuries had more than its fair share. Lessnoff charts the responses to political crises by both liberal and neo–Marxist writers, as well as less easily classifiable thinkers such as Arendt and Habermas. He shows also how twentieth–century political theories have been shaped by reaction to deep–rooted social and ideological forces such as bureaucratization, rationalization and "disenchantment". An ideal resource for any student of political thought, this book will also be welcomed by all who are interested in political philosophy or the history of our time.

Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. 2. Max Weber and the Politics of the Twentieth Century. Part I: Critics of Consumerist Capitalism: . 3. Herbert Marcuse and the Frankfurt School: The Tyranny of Instrumental Reason. 4. Hannah Arendt: Classical Republicanism and the Modern World. 5. C. B. Macpherson: Possessive Individualism and Liberal Democracy. Part II: Embattled Liberalism: . 6. Michael Oakeshott: Rationalism and Civil Association. 7. Friedruch Hayek: The Theory of Spontaneous Order. 8. Karl Popper: Critical Rationalism and the Open Society. 9. Isaiah Berlin: Monism and Pluralism. Part III: Contemporaries: . 10. John Rawls: Liberal Justice. 11. Robert Nozick: The Minimal State. 12. Jurgen Habermas: Discourse Ethics and Democracy. 13. Conclusion: The End of History?. Index.

Michael H. Lessnoff is Reader in Politics at the University of Glasgow. He is the author of The Spirit of Capitalism and the Protestant Ethic (1994); Social Contract (1986); and The Structure of Social Science: A Philosophical Introduction (1974).