Political Philosophy

Politicians invoke grand ideas: social justice, liberty, equality, community, democracy. But what do they really mean? How can politicians across the political spectrum appeal to the same values?This fully revised fifth edition of Adam Swift's highly readable introduction to political philosophy answers these important questions and includes updated guides to further reading. Ideal for students, it also brings the insights of the world's leading political philosophers to a wide general audience. Using plenty of examples, it equips readers to think for themselves about the ideas that shape political life. Democracy works best when both politicians and voters move beyond rhetoric to think clearly and carefully about the values and principles that should govern their society. But clear thinking is difficult in an age when established orthodoxies have fallen by the wayside and political debate is becoming increasingly tribal and raucous. Bringing political philosophy out of the ivory tower and within the reach of all, this book provides us with tools to cut through the complexities and penetrate the smokescreens of contemporary politics. This new edition will continue to be essential reading for students of political philosophy and theory.