
Aspects of 20th-century democracy such as economic justice, human rights, industrial democracy, property, pluralism, and the roots of liberalism are explored in this wide-ranging collection of essays, which expands on the analyses made in two of Macpherson's earlier books, Democratic Theory and The Life and Times of Liberal Democracy. Closely considering the past ups and downs of the concept of economic justice, Macpherson reaches a disturbing conclusion: that the concept is likely to wither away. Macpherson's subject matter ranges from an examination of the extent to which human rights are implemented in different parts of the world, to the probable future of workers' participation in industrial decision-making in both capitalist and socialist countries, to a discussion of the roots of modern liberalism that also reexamines Hobbes, this time as an economist. Taking a sweeping look backwards over the history of theory, this book elicits the role of economic assumptions in political theory and opens new doors to an understanding of state, class, and property.
This collection investigates the historical trajectory and potential decline of economic justice within the framework of modern democratic theory. C. B. Macpherson, a noted political theorist, utilizes his extensive background in democratic studies to analyze the intersection of property, class, and state power. By re-evaluating classical thinkers like Hobbes through an economic lens, he argues that the foundational assumptions of liberalism are increasingly incompatible with the requirements for genuine economic justice in contemporary society.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Scholars frequently cite this collection as a critical extension of Macpherson's earlier work on democratic theory, noting its rigorous intellectual depth. Experts highlight the text as a significant contribution to the study of political economy, particularly for its challenging conclusions regarding the future of liberal democratic institutions.
Page Count:
176
Publication Date:
1985-06-27
Publisher:
Oxford University Press
ISBN-10:
0192153609
ISBN-13:
9780192153609
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