Common Good Politics : British Idealism and Social Justice in the Contemporary World

This book examines the British tradition of common good politics, both historically and in the contemporary world. We live in a time when many anti-Conservative parties and voters feel a profound sense of crisis and disorientation over political principles and policy directions. As a result, many people are turning to common good politics as an alternative to state-centred socialism and laissez-faire individualism. Colin Tyler explores the practical and intellectual history of the British idealist tradition, which flourished from the 1870s to the 1920s, before applying the principles of common good politics to contemporary issues. These issues include the positive roles that can be played by conflict within democratic societies, the radical demands of social justice in a diverse world, the continuing influence of Bush’s ‘war on terror’, international society and free speech under Tony Blair and David Cameron, and the relationships between economic migration, social justice and the common good. The book will appeal particularly to students and scholars interested in British politics, internationalism and political theory. Front Matter....Pages i-xiv Introduction: British Idealism and Contemporary Common Good Politics....Pages 1-36 Front Matter....Pages 37-37 The Liberal Hegelianism of Edward Caird: Or, How to Transcend the Social Economics of Kant and the Romantics....Pages 39-59 Contesting the Common Good: T.H. Green and Contemporary Republicanism....Pages 61-99 ‘This Dangerous Drug of Violence’: Bernard Bosanquet’s Common Good Theory of Punishment....Pages 101-130 J.A. Hobson’s New Liberal Social Economics and the ‘Organic Conception of World-politics’....Pages 131-173 Front Matter....Pages 175-175 Power, Alienation and Community in Capitalist Societies....Pages 177-203 Rethinking the International Economic Architecture....Pages 205-232 ‘History’s Actors’: The ‘War on Terror’ and George W. Bush’s Assault on International Society....Pages 233-260 Blair’s Legacy: ‘International Community’, Domestic (In)security and the Continuing Erosion of Civil Liberties....Pages 261-291 Economic Migration, Social Justice and the Common Good: A Public Lecture....Pages 293-319 Back Matter....Pages 321-363 The Liberal Hegelianism Of Edward Caird: Or, How To Transcend The Social Economics Of Kant And The Romantics -- Contesting The Common Good: T.h. Green And Contemporary Republicanism -- 'this Dangerous Drug Of Violence': Making Sense Of Bernard Bosanquet's Common Good Theory Of Punishment -- A Lost World Or A New Hope? J.a. Hobson's New Liberalism And The 'organic Conception Of World-politics' -- Power, Alienation And Community In Capitalist Societies -- Social Justice And International Society: Principles For Rethinking The International Institutional Architecture -- 'history's Actors': The 'war On Terror' And George W. Bush's Attacks On International Society -- Blair's Legacy: International Community, Domestic Security And The Continuing Erosion Of Civil Rights -- Economic Migration, Social Justice And The Common Good: A Public Lecture. Colin Tyler. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.