The civic conversations of Thucydides and Plato : classical political philosophy and the limits of democracy / Gerald M. Mara.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Mara, Gerald M.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Political science--Philosophy.

Political science.

Democracy.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (339 p.)

Place of Publication:

Albany : SUNY Press, c2008.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book argues that classical political philosophy, represented in the works of Thucydides and Plato, is an important resource for both contemporary democratic political theory and democratic citizens. By placing the Platonic dialogues and Thucydides' History in conversation with four significant forms of modern democratic theory—the rational choice perspective, deliberative democratic theory, the interpretation of democratic culture, and postmodernism—Gerald M. Mara contends that these classical authors are not enemies of democracy. Rather than arguing for the creation of a more encompassing theoretical framework guided by classical concerns, Mara offers readings that emphasize the need to focus critically on the purposes of politics, and therefore of democracy, as controversial yet unavoidable questions for political theory.

Contents:

Front Matter

Contents

Acknowledgments

Political Space and Political Purpose in Contemporary Democratic Theory

The Borders of Rational Choice

Deliberating Democracy

Culture's Justice

Proximate Others

Conclusion: Extending the Limits of Democracy

Notes

References

Index

Notes:

Bibliographic Level Mode of Issuance: Monograph

Includes bibliographical references (p. 301-314) and index.

ISBN:

9780791477991

0791477991

9781435663299

1435663292

OCLC:

244786160