ISBN:
9780198739500
Language:
English
Pages:
viii, 197 Seiten
,
24 cm
Edition:
First edition
Parallel Title:
Erscheint auch als Bonotti, Matteo Partisanship and political liberalism in diverse societies
DDC:
320
Keywords:
Rawls, John 1921-2002
;
Political parties
;
Liberalism
;
Democracy
;
Political science
;
Political parties
;
Democracy
;
Liberalism
;
Political parties
;
Political science
;
Liberalismus
;
Partei
;
Parteimitglied
Abstract:
Since its publication in 1993, John Rawls's Political Liberalism has been central to debates concerning political legitimacy, democratic theory, toleration, and multiculturalism in contemporary political theory. Yet, despite the immense body of literature which has been produced since Rawls's work was published, very little has been said or written regarding the place of political parties and partisanship within political liberalism. This book aims to fill this gap in the literature. Its central argument is that political liberalism needs and nourishes political parties, and that political parties are therefore not hostile but vital to it. First, partisanship generates its own distinctive kind of political obligations, additional to any political obligations people may have qua ordinary citizens. Second, contrary to what many critics argue, and despite its admittedly restrictive features, Rawls's conception of public reason allows significant scope for partisan advocacy and partisan pluralism, and in fact the very normative demands of partisanship are in sympathy with those of public reason. Third, parties contribute to the overlapping consensus that for Rawls guarantees stability in diverse societies. Fourth, political liberalism nourishes political parties, by leaving many issues, including religious and socio-economic ones, open to democratic contestation. In summary, parties contribute both to the legitimacy and to the stability of political liberalism
Abstract:
Introduction -- The political obligations of partisans -- Partisanship and conflicting obligations -- Political liberalism and democratic contestation -- Partisanship and the constraints of public reason -- Free speech and the duty of civility -- Political parties and the overlapping consensus -- Partisanship and the division of justificatory labour -- Partisan speech and political legitimacy -- Conclusion
Permalink
