Republicanism: a theory of freedom and government

'Republicanism develops a distinct, third formulation of the republican alternative which, to my mind, is the most compelling yet on offer.' Alan Patten, Political Studies 'His history is better than the historians' and his constitutional theory is much better than the lawyers'.'
M. N. S. Sellers, The Sacred Fire of Liberty

'Philip Pettit's Republicanism is a major work of political theory. It is bold, comprehensive and clear . . . This is a book of the moment, but I predict that it will last, and that it will provoke debate for many years to come.'
Timothy O'Hagan, Journal of Applied Philosophy

'Pettit offers a vigorous and thoughtful reconception of the republican tradition ... .'
Geraldo Russello, Seton Hall Law Review

Now reissued with a new postscript, this is the first full-length presentation of a republican alternative to the liberal and communitarian philosophies. It offers a unified overview of the many strands in republican thought, and it provides a new, philosophical perspective on studies in related fields including political theory, the history of ideas, jurisprudence, and criminology. The book opens with an examination of the traditional republican conception of freedom as non-domination, contrasting this with established negative and positive views of liberty. The book then examines what the implementation of the ideal would imply for substantive policy-making, constitutional and democratic design, regulatory control, and the relation between state and civil society.

Philip Pettit, is Professor of Social and Political Theory at the Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University and visiting Professor of Philosophy at Columbia University. His recent books include The Common Mind: An Essay on Psychology, Society, and Politics (OUP USA, 1993 Paperback with new postscript, 1996), and Not Just Deserts: A Republican Theory of Criminal Justice (with John Braithwaite, Oxford University Press, 1990).