A study of the principles of politics : being an essay towards political rationalization

"Under what conditions are obedience and disobedience required or justified? To what or whom is obedience or disobedience owed? What are the differences between authority and power and between legitimate and illegitimate government? What is the relationship between having an obligation and having freedom to act? What are the similarities and differences among political, legal, and moral obligations? ..." Originally published in 1972, Professor Flathman discusses these crucial issues in political theory in a lucid and stimulating argument. Though mainly concerned to develop his own modified utilitarian standing point he also reviews both the classical and modern literature from Plato and Hobbes to Hare and Rawls. The treatment is philosophical but it is frequently related to practical issues of civil obedience and disobedience and in particular focuses on the relation between law, obligation and social change Cover Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Original Title Page Original Copyright Page Dedication Acknowledgments Contents Introduction Original Half Title 1. The Study of Language and the Study of Politics I. Language and Meaning II. Use versus Analysis of Language III. Language and Convention IV. Language and Social and Political Practice V. Language and Social Science VI. Some Limitations on Social Science VII. Some Opportunities for Social Science VIII. Concluding Remarks 2. Obligation and Ideals I. Obligations and Ideals II. Political and Other Obligations Ill. Political Obligation and the Contagious Effects of Disobedience IV. The Contagious Effects of Disobedience and Reflecton and Choice V. Concluding Remarks 3· Obligation and Rules I. Characteristics of Rules II. Types of Rules III. Rules and Reasons IV. Concluding Remarks 4. The Social Bases of Obligation Rules I. Language and Individual Action II. Social Rules and Individual Action III. Hare's Account of Rule Formation IV. Social Rules and Social Change V. Concluding Remarks 5. Obligation, Stability, and Change: Praise, Blame, and Disinclination I. "'Obligation' Implies Blame, not Praise" II. Obligation and Disinclination III. Obligation, Stasis, and Stability 6. Obligation, Political Freedom, and Coercion I. Accepted Obligation Rules and Freedom of Political Action II. Obligation Rules, Political Freedom, and the Use of Sanctions III. Rejected Rules, Political Freedom, and Coercion IV. Obligation, Freedom, and Reason 7. Obligation, Consent, and Utility I. The Alleged Monism of Utilitarianism II. Utilitarianism and Rules III. Antecedent Assent and Utility IV. Concluding Remarks 8. The Utility of Obligation I. Political Obligation and Social Utility: Socrates' Argument in the Crito II. Political Obligation and Personal Interest: the Argument of Hobbes III. Summary and Concluding Remarks Bibliography Index Routledge Library Editions: Political Thought and Political Philosophy (54 Volume set) presents titles, first published between 1924 and 2003. This set draws together research from leading academics covering key themes such as: liberty and justice, power, federalism, anarchy and direct action, socialism, Marxism and liberalism. First published in 1972, the author discusses crucial issues in political theory in a lucid and stimulating argument. Though mainly concerned to develop his own modified utilitarian standing point he also reviews both the classical and modern literature from Plato and Hobbes to Hare and Rawls. First published in 1988. This anthology from the major writings of J. A. Hobson helps to establish his reputation as one of the most influential social, economic and political theorists of late nineteenth and early twentieth century Britain.