On Civic Republicanism: Ancient Lessons for Global Politics

by Geoffrey Kellow (Editor), Neven Leddy (Editor)

Overview

Continuing the analysis of contemporary issues through the lens of ancient theories beyond the themes of Enduring Empire and the award-winning On Oligarchy, On Civic Republicanism explores the enduring relevance of the ancient concepts of republicanism and civic virtue to modern questions about political engagement and identity. Examining both ancient and early modern conceptions of civic republicanism, the contributors respond to the work of thinkers ranging from Plato and Aristotle to Machiavelli, Montesquieu, and Wollstonecraft.

A testament to the continuing influence of the concept and the ongoing scholarly debate which surrounds it, On Civic Republicanism addresses fundamental questions regarding democratic participation, liberal democracy, and the public good. Its essays speak to the many ways in which the idea of the republic still challenges us today.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781442625471
Publisher:	University of Toronto Press
Publication date:	02/24/2016
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	352
File size:	3 MB

About the Author

Geoffrey C. Kellow is an assistant professor in the College of the Humanities at Carleton University.

Neven Leddy teaches in the Department of History at Carleton University.

Table of Contents

Preface: The Return to Classical Regimes Theory
David Tabachnick and Toivo Koivokoski

Introduction
Geoffrey Kellow

Part 1: The Classical Heritage

Chapter 1: The Problematic Character of Periclean Athens
Timothy Burns

Chapter 2: Aristotle’s Topological Politics; Michael Sandel’s Civic-Republicanism
David Roochnik

Chapter 3: Living Well and the Promise of Cosmopolitan Identity: Aristotle’s ergon as a Contingent Foundation for Civic Republicanism Today
Michael Weinman

Chapter 4: Groundwork for a Theory of Republican Character in a Democratic Age
Wendell John Coats, Jr.

Chapter 5: Ancient, Modern and Post-National Democracy: Deliberation and Citizenship Between the Political and the Universal
Crystal Cordell Paris

Part 2: The Enlightenment: An Accelerated Reception?

Chapter 6: Machiavelli’s Art of Politics: A Critique of Humanism and the Lessons of Rome
Jarrett A. Carty

Chapter 7: Transforming “Manliness” into Courage: Two Democratic Perspectives
Ryan Balot

Chapter 8: Montesquieu on Corruption: Civic Purity in a post-Republican World
Robert Sparling

Chapter 9: The Fortitude of the Uncertain: Political Courage in David Hume’s Political Philosophy
Marc Hanvelt

Chapter 10: Sparta, Modernity, Enlightenment
Varad Mehta

Chapter 11: A Master of the Art of Persuasion: Rousseau’s Platonic Teaching on the Virtuous Legislator
Brent Edwin Cusher

Chapter 12: Civil Religion, Civic Republicanism and Enlightenment in Rousseau
Lee Ward

Chapter 13: Mary Wollstonecraft and Adam Smith on Gender, History and the Civic Republican Tradition
Neven Leddy

Chapter 14: Pinocchio and the Puppet of Plato’s Laws
Jeffrey Dirk Wilson

Chapter 15: Unity in Multiplicity: Agency and Aesthetics in German Republicanism
Douglas Moggach 

What People are Saying About This

Patrick Malcolmson

“A thoughtful and thought-provoking work on one of the most important subjects of contemporary political theory, On Civic Republicanism is an excellent account of the various attempts, both old and new, to look to, revive, or ‘use’ classical civic republicanism in new ways.”

David Livingstone

“The essays in On Civic Republicanism will be useful both for those studying the civic republican tradition and for those interested in learning about the specific thinkers discussed. Each is a clear and accessible contribution to our understanding of civic republicanism.”

Editorial Reviews

‘Kellow and Leddy have assembled sophisticated analytical papers on civic republicanism authored by diverse students of philosophy and political science…. The scholarship is impressive…. Highly recommended.’

—A.B. Cochran, Choice Magazine

“A thoughtful and thought-provoking work on one of the most important subjects of contemporary political theory, On Civic Republicanism is an excellent account of the various attempts, both old and new, to look to, revive, or ‘use’ classical civic republicanism in new ways.”

—Patrick Malcolmson, Department of Political Science, St Thomas University

“The essays in On Civic Republicanism will be useful both for those studying the civic republican tradition and for those interested in learning about the specific thinkers discussed. Each is a clear and accessible contribution to our understanding of civic republicanism.”

—David Livingstone, Departments of Liberal Studies and Political Studies, Vancouver Island University

From the Publisher

'Kellow and Leddy have assembled sophisticated analytical papers on civic republicanism authored by diverse students of philosophy and political science.... The scholarship is impressive.... Highly recommended.'

Choice Magazine - A.B. Cochran