Farrelly argues against the principled paradigm of ideal theory and champions instead a virtue-oriented theory of justice entitled 'civic liberalism'. He critically assesses the main contemporary theories of justice and tackles a number of applied topics, ranging from constitutional design and free speech to welfare reform and economic incentives.The 'Principled Paradigm' of Ideal Theory The Virtues of Fair Social Cooperation The Simplifying Assumptions of Rawlsian Justice The Cost-blind Approach to Rights (Continued&) Dualism, Incentives and the Demands of Justice Should the Left Embrace Left-Libertarianism? A Citizens' Basic Income, Workfare and Reciprocity Neutrality and Toleration The 'Dialogical Model' of Judicial Review Deliberative Democracy Conclusion
'...a global and thought-provoking attack on ways of doing political theory that have been highly influential and with which many identify.' - Simon Birnbaum, Mind
COLIN FARRELLY is Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Waterloo, Canada. He is the author of
An Introduction to Contemporary Political Theory (2004) and he has held academic appointments at Oxford University, Manchester University, Birmingham University and Aberdeen University.