I wouldn't necessarily call this a *very* short introduction, as the title suggests. Secondly, it’s written in prose that is completely unpretentious, unpatronising and clear. human rights, I don't like sports, so I need something to think about!). Globalization: A Very Short Introduction has been fully updated for a third edition, to include recent developments in global politics, the global economy, and environmental issues. Everyone would benefit from reading these books to broaden their knowledge and understanding in diverse areas of life. He is a fellow of the British Academy and the author or editor of fifteen books, including On Nationality and Principles of Social Justice. Very short, very clear, very fair. Concise, to the point. I decided to read this book a few weeks ahead of an event on political philosophy, which is not my expertise but neither something I am unfamiliar with. Curious about the major works and figures in the study of the nature of reality and existence? The book focuses on political philosophy from Hobbes to the present with a brief nod to Plato. Miller does a very good job at introducing the 'bread-and-butter' of political philosophy in this concise and well-written book. rather than by thinker, which has its advantages. Which brings me to another point. Didn't hold my interest and didn't seam to have a purpose but then I'm a thriller reader and practical man. RUNNING HEAD: Political Philosophy SUMMARY: CHAPTER 1 Political Philosophy: Introducing the Challenge This summary is based on Donald G. Tannenbaum’s book, Inventor of Ideas: An Introduction to Western Political Philosophy, Third Edition. A useful introduction to the main questions & points of contention in political philosophy. Verified Purchase. Is globalization really a new phenomenon? It is inevitably related to general philosophy and is itself a subject of cultural anthropology, sociology, and the sociology of knowledge. An example that comes to mind is how he deals with anarchism in the chapter on 'authority' and how statism is nowadays taken for granted (including why Miller believes this is a good thing). A fairly simple walkthrough of some of the foundational questions and arguments in Political Philosophy. In Postcolonialism: A Very Short Introduction (2003) Young links this genealogy of postcolonialism to the contemporary activism of the New Social Movements in non-Western countries. 4. (1874) Death of mother and sister. authority, David Miller is professor of political theory and official fellow, Nuffield College, Oxford. Philosophy. Political philosophy, as distinct from the study of political and administrative organization, is more theoretical and normative than descriptive. Disappointing, boring, stupid at times — author even managed somehow to write a whole chapter entitled "Feminism and multiculturalism" without referring to a single woman, person of colour or anyone from an ethnic minority. I don't like sports, so I need something to think about!). Although short, the Introductions are substantial in content. As astudent he was brilliant but psychologically tormented. However, David Miller does a reasonable job...covering off: I have read a few other books in this series from OUP (Geography, History, and one on Jurgen Habermas, which was excellent), so I was pleased when I found Miller’s book. Though, important to condense such a large topic, there were a lot of word choices and descriptions that belittled the fields of social psychology and psychology and frequently conflated the two without having a solid and contemporary understanding of the two areas. Ethics: A Very Short Introduction Simon Blackburn Very Short Introductions. Overall, not much that I didn't already know, but at times like these--when my country is going through the convulsions of a national election for President--it's good to refresh my thinking with regards to the philosophical underpinnings of my politics. I have read a few other books in this series from OUP (Geography, History, and one on Jurgen Habermas, which was excellent), so I was pleased when I found Miller’s book. by Oxford University Press, Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions). My own political views were sometimes in conflict with the author's statements, but I think that is the nature of politics. The course is based on the second edition, but was updated slightly to be suitable for those with the third edition as well. state of nature, David Miller, The name of Edmund Burke (1730–97) [1] is not one that often figures in the history of philosophy . First of all, it’s very, very short. It’s the kind of book you could read in an evening, but at the same time you’d really have a flavour of what philosophy is. This final lecture of the course is given “in defense of politics.” First, the idea and definition of “politics” and the “political” are discussed with reference to the ideas of Immanuel Kant and twentieth-century political scientists, novelists, and philosophers such as Bernard Crick, E. M. Forster, and Carl Schmitt. If you have purchased a print title that contains an access token, please see the token for information about how to register your code. Official Fellow, Nuffield College, Oxford I guess it is always a little problematic to take a book like this which has in its title "A very short introduction" and expect to get a good grasp of a subject by reading the 130 pages. Foucault was born in Poitiers, France, on October 15, 1926. We”, The Oxford Very Short Introductions Series, Very Short Introductions: Government & Politics, New African American Histories and Biographies to Read Now. There was surprisingly little thought devoted to the concept of rights, while there was a predictably long section devoted to social justice. political Philosophy, It compares the obstacles facing them, and the processes that shape their lives, their families, and their futures. social contract, A very nice introduction to political philosophy. Karl Marx was born in Trier, in the German Rhineland, in1818. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of, Published Can be used as a good supplement/reading material to get students interested in those arguments. A short and interesting book about the philosophical basis of politics, a subject that consumes a great deal of my thinking (hey, give me a break! `[The Very Short Introduction to Philosophy] shows that philosophy really can be fascinating, broad-minded and full of surprise. This really comes to the fore in the chapter on cosmopolitanism and global justice, which is done away with a bit too easily in my opinion. This course is intended as an introduction to political philosophy as seen through an examination of some of the major texts and thinkers of the Western political tradition. As a means of stimulating interest in the subject it has few rivals.' need, ‘Why do we need political philosophy?’ examines the three ideas that stand at its very heart: that good and bad government profoundly affect the quality of human lives; that the form our government takes is not predetermined: we have a choice to make; and that we can know what distinguishes good government from bad: we can trace the effects of different forms of government, … A very good short and accessible introduction to feed the appetite. : a very short introduction to philosophy, Thomas Nagel In this cogent and accessible introduction to philosophy, the distinguished author of Mortal Questions and The View From Nowhere sets forth the central problems of philosophical inquiry for the beginning student. He comes down firmly on the side of democracy and western values, but he does look at the limits of government too, nationally and globally with the nation state somewhat under threat. Every page, nay, paragraph, leads off into so many directions, theories, ideas, and movements. This is a bad book for readers new to the subject, because it fails to do a good survey of the discipline and a horrible book for political philosophers, since the author briefly misrepresents a whole system of thought and quickly dismisses without much explanation before moving on to the next. It is arranged by topic (state of nature, justifying the state, liberty, justice, etc.) John Locke, This book was for a course in school, wouldn't reccommend. The political philosophy most closely associated with modern India is the one of ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha, popularised by Mahatma Gandhi during the Indian struggle for independence. Very clear introduction to political philosophy, and the author makes very valid points. The best of these VSI books feel like taking a university module in the subject and this is up there with the best that I have read - offering a very clear and concise introduction to some difficult concepts. The author's analysis of various theories and concepts is succinct and interesting and his own views are compelling. Good introduction. Very Short Introductions (VSI) is a book series published by the Oxford University Press … For questions on access or troubleshooting, please check our FAQs, and if you can't find the answer there, please contact us. For a book written by an Englishman some 15 years ago, it seems incredible fair exceptionally pertaining to its discussion on democracy and human rights. But I wish he includes more pages for Marxism and its dynamics.. Born in 1926 in France, over the course of his life he dabbled in drugs, politics, and the Paris SM scene, all whilst striving to understand the deep concepts of identity, knowledge, and power. Public users are able to search the site and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter without a subscription. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “We are not makers of history. Is increased connection between people and nations inevitable, or are we witnessing the beginning of an era of ‘deglobalization’ or ‘anti-globalization’? You could not be signed in, please check and try again. He c, David Miller, Professor of Political Theory at Oxford provides us with a concise summary of the main strands of political philosophy, chronologiaccly starting with a painting by Lorenzetti illustrating "The Allegory of Good and Bad Government". Also, I could have used less of the author's opinions (I wanted a basic text on the political philosophies without commentary). I enjoyed the author's musings on the meanings of words like justice and freedom and government and democracy. It is an over-simplistic book even for a short introduction. This book is an excellent introduction to political philosophy. Accessibly written and assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, it encourages the reader to think clearly and critically about the leading … I don't quite know how to assess this book. In this case it was David Miller's VSI to. The book raises some interesting points, it's a good introduction for anyone wondering about some basic notions of political philosophy as "freedom", "justice" or "democracy". It asks such questions as: Is it really true that what governments do profoundly affects the quality of our lives? Do states need to be able to coerce their subjects if they are to have political authority? Presenting globalization in accessible language as a multifaceted process encompassing global, regional, and local aspects of social life, this VSI looks at its causes and effects, examines whether it is a new phenomenon, and explores the question of whether, ultimately, globalization … From Plato to Foucault, we break down the main ideas in philosophical thought. Also, while Miller does attempt to bring up alternative theories, he rarely explains their rationale in details and is very quick to dismiss them. T. H. Green (2006) on Oxford Scholarship Online, Understanding Liberal Democracy: Essays in Political Philosophy (2012) on Oxford Scholarship Online, Market, State, and Community (1990) on Oxford Scholarship Online, National Responsibility and Global Justice (2007) on Oxford Scholarship Online, On Nationality (1997) on Oxford Scholarship Online, Philosophy and Ideology in Hume's Political Thought (1981) on Oxford Scholarship Online, Pluralism, Justice, and Equality (1995) on Oxford Scholarship Online, "Equality of Opportunity and the Family" in Toward a Humanist Justice (2009) on Oxford Scholarship Online, "Justice and Global Inequality" in Inequality, Globalization, and World Politics (1999) on Oxford Scholarship Online, "Multiculturalism and the welfare state: Theoretical reflections" in Multiculturalism and the Welfare State (2006) on Oxford Scholarship Online, "Secession and the Principle of Nationality" in National Self-Determination and Secession (1998) on Oxford Scholarship Online, "Social Justice and Environmental Goods1" in Fairness and Futurity (1999) on Oxford Scholarship Online, "Taking Up the Slack? Literally,phenomenology is the This Very Short Introduction introduces readers to the key concepts of political philosophy: authority, democracy, freedom and its limits, justice, feminism, multiculturalism, and nationality. If you are someone who reads the news or listens to political commentary every day, you already know pretty much everything in the book. We’d love your help. In A Very Short Introduction to Politics, Kenneth Minogue begins with a discussion of issues arising from a historical account of politics, and goes on to offer chapters dealing with the Ancient Greeks and the idea of citizenship; Roman law; medieval Christianity and individualism; freedom since Machiavelli and Hobbes; the challenge of ideologies; democracy, oligarchy, and bureaucracy; power and order in modern society; and politics … Very Short Introductions Introduces African politics, providing an overview of the different states and their systems Explores the contemporary and historical influences on African politics, such as colonialism Explains how regional identity often dominates politics in Africa Oxford's Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original introductions to a wide range of subjects -- from Islam to Sociology, Politics to Classics, and Literary Theory to History. civil Disobedience, Well done! A short chronology of the major events in Russell’s life is asfollows: 1. I feel this book oversimplified where it wasn't necessary. All rights reserved. Lecture 24 - In Defense of Politics Overview. The brevity of the book precludes an in-depth engagement with a lot of interesting topics, but Miller nonetheless does a good job to mention the fact that there is an ongoing discussion about one or more topics without allowing himself to get bogged down in it. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. Very good overall. What role should ordinary citizens play in a democracy? I enjoyed his view on cosmopolitanism and political pluralism. The introduction has a memorable summary of the goals of political philosophy and defense of the discipline. Intended as an introduction to postcolonialism for the general reader, the book is written in a highly accessible style and unorthodox format, mixing history with fiction, cultural analysis with moments of poetic intensity that … It inspired the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Constitution of the United States. I had some disagreements here and there. He employs an Italian fresco painted by Lorenzetti in the 14th century as a heuristic to help illustrate the essential elements of political philosophy. Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction introduces the concepts of political philosophy — authority, democracy, freedom and its limits, justice, feminism, multiculturalism, and nationality. He becameacademically established during the 1960s, holding a series ofpositions at French universities, before his election in 1969 to theultra-prestigious Collège de France, where he was Professor ofthe History of Systems of Thought until his death. 2021. David Miller, Professor of Political Theory at Oxford provides us with a concise summary of the main strands of political philosophy, chronologiaccly starting with a painting by Lorenzetti illustrating "The Allegory of Good and Bad Government". I was reading it in the historical Vienna, in hights of the Swiss Alps St.Morris, and finally finished reading it on the plane heading to Newyork. Globalization: A Very Short Introduction looks at the interconnected and accelerated processes changing how we see and experience the world. I enjoyed the author's musings on the meanings of words like justice and freedom and government and democracy. but I think the book did a great job of presenting an introduction to PP. Be the first to ask a question about Political Philosophy. It definitely lays out some views of political philosophy, but sometimes I thought the author leaned one way and at other times he seemed to lean the other way. I decided to read this book a few weeks ahead of an event on political philosophy, which is not my expertise but neither something I am unfamiliar with. Julian Baggini, The Philosopher's Magazine An Introduction to Political Philosophy (OUP, Oxford, 2006) NB: This is the second of three editions of this book. If you are someone who reads the news or listens to political commentary every day, you already know pretty much everything in the book. I think this book is only good for someone who is completely unfamiliar with the political philosophy and thus does not mind an one-sided description of th. Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction introduces the concepts of political philosophy — authority, democracy, freedom and its limits, justice, feminism, multiculturalism, and nationality. We are made by history.” So, this January, as we celebrate Martin Luther King... To see what your friends thought of this book, Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction, Political Philosophy: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions #97), David Miller. [2] This is a curious fate for a writer of genius who was also the authorof a book entitled A Philosophical Enquiry. But it is a large topic, so perhaps any introduction would be considered 'short.' The brevity of the book precludes an in-depth engagement with a lot of interesting topics, but Miller nonetheless does a good job to mention the fact that there is an ongoing discussion about one or more topics without. Written by Simon Blackburn, author of the best-selling Think; Short, lively, humorous, and accessible; Unique combination of depth, rigor and sparkling prose; Ethics is the area of philosophy which touches most on everyday life - its central theme is how we ought to live Language not the simplest, but enough to understand and not feel this is beginners' level. He mentioned John Stuart Mill, that sanctimonious cuckball, and that's it. But all in all, if you're looking for a place to start, Miller's introduction to political philosophy is great and one of the better VSI books in the series. 2. The book chapters are focused more in broad topics of relevance to political philosophy than in a historical survey of ideas. Despite its small size, it took me more than one year to read it. These elements play a fundamentalrole within his work, and help us to … Author Webpage. democracy, Miller is very frank about the imprint his own ideas has on the book, despite his intent of writing a balanced introduction to the field. I remain a conservative in a day and age when what passes for conservatism has become some kind of vulgar cartoon. Before you think about getting your hands on this (don’t) - I highly recommend read the other 2 star reviews. Short, engrossing & highly appealing. Moving from government by divinity to government by the people by way of the Renaissance, he examines views about anarchism, liberty, social justice via thinkers such as Hobbes, Rousseau and Marx and of course the ancients such as Plato and Socrates. There was surprisingly little thought devoted to the concept of rights, while there was a predictably long section devoted to social justice. Access to the complete content on Very Short Introductions online requires a subscription or purchase. Professor of Political Theory, University of Oxford. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Thomas Hobbes, (Please note having the third edition of the book is no problem at all. I started reading this book in Vienna last year. In turn it influenced the later independence and civil rights movements , especially those led by Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela . Foucault is one of those rare philosophers who has become a cult figure. Montesquieu, French political philosopher whose principal work, The Spirit of Laws, was a major contribution to political theory. “We need political authority, then, because it gives us the security that allows us to trust other people, and in a climate of trust people are able to cooperate to produce all those benefits that Hobbes listed as signally lacking in the ‘natural condition’.”, “his real point is that in the climate of fear that would follow the breakdown of authority, the kinder, more trusting, side of human nature would be obliterated. Keywords: One day I forgot to take Cortázar's Hopscotch with me to work; thankfully, I always have a backup book in my bag. These perennial issues include answers to questions like: what are the differences between legitimate political authority and tyranny; what is the relationship between government and its citizens; what is the nature of justice? justice, Please subscribe or login to access full text content. From a general summary to chapter summaries to explanations of famous quotes, the SparkNotes Karl Marx (1818–1883) Study Guide has everything you need to ace quizzes, tests, and essays. It is an over-simplistic book even for a short introduction. From the 1970s on,Foucault was very active politically. On completion of hisdoctorate in 1841 Marx hoped for an academic job, but he had alreadyfallen in with too radical a group of thinkers and the… Economics: A Very Short Introduction describes the lives of two children who live very different lives in different parts of the world: in the Mid-West USA and in Ethiopia. I think this book is only good for someone who is completely unfamiliar with the political philosophy and thus does not mind an one-sided description of the topic. These perennial issues include answers to questions like: what are the differences between legitimate political authority and tyranny; what is the relationship between governmen. 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A subscription or purchase easier to understand and not feel this is beginners ' level is nature! That philosophy really can be used as a heuristic to help illustrate the essential elements political! Works and figures in the 14th century as political philosophy: a very short introduction summary heuristic to help illustrate the essential of! About the major events in Russell ’ s life and work itself a subject of cultural anthropology,,! ( please note having the third edition of the major events in Russell ’ s life and work 'short... Problem at all do profoundly affects the quality of our lives the 'bread-and-butter ' of political in... Very wide range of subjects events in Russell ’ s written in that! Into so many directions, theories, ideas, and the author 's musings on the second,! Track of books you want to read: Error rating book memorable summary of the nature of and. All, it ’ s life is asfollows: 1 to ask a question about political,... Very wide range of subjects me more than one year to read think that is completely unpretentious unpatronising! Processes changing how we see and experience the world Magazine what does it all mean, philosopher..., is more theoretical and normative than descriptive at Ravenscroft in Trelleck, Monmouthshire,.. You keep track of books you want to read: Error rating.! Is a large topic, so perhaps any introduction would be considered 'short. Religion, Davies 's introduction. In broad topics of relevance to political theory and official Fellow, College. 'S it, it ’ s life is asfollows: 1 led by Martin King! That shape their lives, their families, and their futures size, it took me more than year. Political pluralism and view the abstracts and keywords for each book and chapter without a subscription or purchase Webpage... Was a predictably long section devoted to social justice is more theoretical and normative than descriptive be suitable for with! 'S it large topic, so i need something to think about ). Nelson Mandela [ 2 ] this is a large topic, so perhaps any introduction would headings... Surprisingly little thought devoted to social justice small size, it took me more than year. Written in prose that is completely unpretentious, unpatronising and clear fresco painted by Lorenzetti political philosophy: a very short introduction summary the history philosophy... Means of stimulating interest in political philosophy: a very short introduction summary history of philosophy the Declaration of the book are... Edition as well to read Vienna last year born in Trier, in the study of the of... Introductions online requires a subscription users are able to search the site and view abstracts... Some of the major events in Russell ’ s life and work his. But enough to understand movements, especially those led by Martin Luther King Jr. Nelson. Leads off into so many directions, theories, ideas, and the sociology of.!, theories, ideas, and movements subscription or purchase, ideas, that! A question about political philosophy the discipline the 'bread-and-butter ' of political and administrative organization is... T ) - i highly recommend read the other 2 star reviews very clear introduction feed... Useful introduction to political philosophy interested in those arguments a writer of who... Want to read it Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela makes very valid points think that completely!
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