Contemporary Political Philosophy
Contemporary political philosophy addresses the complex challenges of modern societies, from questions of justice and rights to issues of identity, power, and global governance. These works from the 20th and 21st centuries represent diverse perspectives on political life.
Liberal Political Philosophy
A Theory of Justice
Perhaps the most important work of political philosophy in the 20th century, Rawls develops a theory of "justice as fairness" using the thought experiment of the "original position" behind a "veil of ignorance" to derive principles of justice.
Contemporary JusticePolitical Liberalism
Rawls revises his earlier theory to address the challenge of reasonable pluralism in modern democracies, developing the idea of an "overlapping consensus" on political values despite differing comprehensive doctrines.
Contemporary LiberalismAnarchy, State, and Utopia
A libertarian response to Rawls, defending a minimal state limited to protecting against force, theft, and fraud. Nozick's "entitlement theory" of justice challenges redistributive taxation as violating individual rights.
Contemporary LibertarianismTaking Rights Seriously
Dworkin defends a liberal theory of law and rights against legal positivism and utilitarianism, arguing that rights function as "trumps" against majority decisions that would otherwise sacrifice individual interests.
Contemporary RightsCritical Theory and Continental Philosophy
Between Facts and Norms
Habermas develops a discourse theory of law and democracy, arguing that legitimate law emerges from inclusive democratic procedures that allow all affected to participate in rational discourse.
Contemporary Critical TheoryDiscipline and Punish
Analyzes how power operates through institutions like prisons, schools, and hospitals to discipline individuals. Foucault's concept of power as productive rather than merely repressive transformed political theory.
Contemporary PowerThe Human Condition
An exploration of the fundamental categories of human activity: labor, work, and action. Arendt's analysis of the public and private realms provides crucial insights into the nature of political life.
Contemporary Political ActionThe Origins of Totalitarianism
A powerful analysis of Nazi and Stalinist regimes, examining how totalitarianism differs from traditional tyranny and identifying conditions that make it possible, including isolation, loneliness, and ideology.
Contemporary TotalitarianismCommunitarian and Feminist Approaches
After Virtue
A critique of modern moral philosophy arguing that the Enlightenment project failed, advocating a return to virtue ethics and the importance of community and tradition.
Contemporary CommunitarianismLiberalism and the Limits of Justice
A communitarian critique of Rawlsian liberalism, arguing that we cannot understand justice apart from conceptions of the good and our embeddedness in communities.
Contemporary CommunitarianismJustice, Gender, and the Family
Challenges liberal theories of justice for ignoring gender inequality within families, arguing that justice must begin at home.
Contemporary FeminismJustice and the Politics of Difference
Critiques the distributive paradigm of justice, focusing instead on oppression and domination across five "faces": exploitation, marginalization, powerlessness, cultural imperialism, and violence.
Contemporary FeminismGlobal Justice and Multiculturalism
The Law of Peoples
Extends Rawls' theory to international relations, distinguishing between liberal peoples, decent hierarchical peoples, and outlaw states to develop principles for a just international order.
Contemporary Global JusticeWorld Poverty and Human Rights
Argues that global poverty constitutes a violation of human rights for which affluent countries bear responsibility through the international institutions they impose.
Contemporary Global JusticeMulticultural Citizenship
Defends minority rights within liberalism, arguing that cultural membership provides a context for meaningful choice and identity.
Contemporary Multiculturalism