This Is Political Philosophy

This is Political Philosophy is an accessible and well-balanced introduction to the main issues in political philosophy written by an author team from the fields of both philosophy and politics. This text connects issues at the core of political philosophy with current, live debates in policy, politics, and law and addresses different ideals of political organization, such as democracy, liberty, equality, justice, and happiness. Written with great clarity, This is Political Philosophy is accessible and engaging to those who have little or no prior knowledge of political philosophy.

How to Use This Book xii Preface xiii Part I Core Values in Political Philosophy 1 1 Happiness 3 2 Freedom 31 3 Equality 54 4 Justice 81 Part II Problems of Authority and Legitimacy 103 5 Democracy 105 6 The Obligation to Obey the Law 132 7 Political Violence: War, Torture, and Punishment 155 Part III Specific Topics 183 8 Who Counts? 185 9 Religion and Politics 210 10 Money, Lies, and Political Corruption 236 Index 258