The Civic Conversations of Thucydides and Plato : Classical Political Philosophy and the Limits of Democracy

Mara, Gerald M.

State University of New York Press（2009/07発売）

• 製本 Paperback:紙装版/ペーパーバック版／ページ数 338 p.
• 言語 ENG
• 商品コード 9780791475003
• DDC分類 321.8

Full Description

Argues for the contemporary importance of Thucydides and Plato for both democratic political theory and democratic citizens.

This book argues that classical political philosophy, represented in the works of Thucydides and Plato, is an important resource for both contemporary democratic political theory and democratic citizens. By placing the Platonic dialogues and Thucydides' History in conversation with four significant forms of modern democratic theory-the rational choice perspective, deliberative democratic theory, the interpretation of democratic culture, and postmodernism-Gerald M. Mara contends that these classical authors are not enemies of democracy. Rather than arguing for the creation of a more encompassing theoretical framework guided by classical concerns, Mara offers readings that emphasize the need to focus critically on the purposes of politics, and therefore of democracy, as controversial yet unavoidable questions for political theory.

Contents

Acknowledgments

1. Political Space and Political Purpose in Contemporary Democratic Theory

2. The Borders of Rational Choice

3. Deliberating Democracy

4. Culture's Justice

5. Proximate Others

6. Conclusion: Extending the Limits of Democracy

Notes
References
Index