Jacobins and Utopians: The Political Theory of Fundamental Moral Reform (Frank M. Covey, Jr. Loyola Lectures in Political Analysis)

Jacobins and Utopians examines the politics of ideal societies and the means necessary to bring them into existence. George Klosko reveals how discussions of fundamental moral reform lead inexorably to questions of political power. Machiavelli classically articulated the claim that unarmed prophets go to the gallows. Themes of revolution play an integral role in Klosko’s study—as the figures he explores frequently concerned themselves with the means of becoming armed. Klosko focuses particularly on what he calls “educational realism” as a means of channeling political power in pursuit of moral reform. If people are to become fit for an ideal society they must be subjected to intensive education, which in turn requires control of the educational environment and, consequently, of society as a whole. Klosko identifies Plato as an educational realist and contends that Plato, contrary to his reputation as a pure utopian, actually provides a searching analysis of the role of political power in fundamental moral reform. In addition to Plato, Jacobins and Utopians canvasses strategies of moral reform proposed by Plutarch's Lycurgus, Socrates, Thomas More, Machiavelli, Robespierre, Saint-Just, Bakunin, Charles Fourier, Marx, and Lenin. Klosko analyzes both the advantages of Jacobinism as a political strategy and its inherent flaws. Jacobins And Utopians Examines The Politics Of Ideal Societies And The Means Necessary To Bring Them Into Existence. George Klosko Reveals How Discussions Of Fundamental Moral Reform Lead Inexorably To Questions Of Political Power. Machiavelli Classically Articulated The Claim That Unarmed Prophets Go To The Gallows. Themes Of Revolution Play An Integral Role In Klosko's Study - As The Figures He Explores Frequently Concerned Themselves With The Means Of Becoming Armed.--jacket. Ch. 1. Ancient Lawgivers: Lycurgus And Solon -- Lycurgus -- Solon -- Ch. 2. Socratic Reform -- Interpretation Of The Early Dialogues -- Socrates' Mission -- The True Art Of Politics -- The Platonic Critique -- Ch. 3. The Politics Of Philosophy -- The Political Theory Of Radical Reform -- Philosophers And Kings -- Plato And Radical Reform -- Ch. 4. Three Theorists Of Reform: More, Machiavelli, And Rousseau -- More's Utopian Vision -- Machiavelli And Radical Political Reform -- Rousseau And Political Reform -- Ch. 5. The Jacobin Ideal -- Jacobin Theory -- Robespierre As Political Theorist -- Revolutionary Government -- The Politics Of Regeneration -- Saint-just's Republican Institutions -- Utopian Means -- Ch. 6. The Marxian Alternative -- Marx's Theory Of Revolution -- The Newton Of The Social World -- Reorganized Society -- Implementing The Ideal State -- Scientific Socialism -- Marxism And Blanquism -- The Dictatorship Of The Proletariat -- The Fate Of The Revolution -- Ch. 7. Leninism As Jacobinism -- Bakunin -- Leninism As Jacobinism -- Consequences. George Klosko. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 177-193) And Index. "Jacobins and Utopians examines the politics of ideal societies and the means necessary to bring them into existence. George Klosko reveals how discussions of fundamental moral reform lead inexorably to questions of political power. Machiavelli classically articulated the claim that unarmed prophets go to the gallows. Themes of revolution play an integral role in Klosko's study - as the figures he explores frequently concerned themselves with the means of becoming armed."--BOOK JACKET. Cover 1 Half title 2 Series page 3 Title page 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Acknowledgments 12 Introduction 14 1. Ancient Lawgivers: Lycurgus and Solon 22 2. Socratic Reform 34 3. The Politics of Philosophy 62 4. Three Theorists of Reform More, Machiavelli, and Rousseau 81 5. The Jacobin Ideal 101 6. The Marxian Alternative 133 7. Leninism as Jacobinism 159 Conclusion 183 Notes 189 Index 206