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More About This Textbook
Overview
The culmination of a critical study of neo-pragmatism philosophy and its application to planning, Dialogical Planning in a Fragmented Society begins with philosopher Stanley M. Stein’s examination of neo-pragmatism and his thoughts on how it can be useful in the field of environmental design—specifically, how it can be applied to planning procedures and problems.
Neo-pragmatism is an approach that has been, in the past, best expressed or implied in the writing of Hilary Putnam, Richard Rorty, and, in particular, Donald Davidson, John Rawls, and Ludwig Wittgenstein. Thomas L. Harper furthers this tradition by providing the context for this theoretical application from his academic background in economics and management as well as his practical experience with political decision-making processes, community planning, and economic development.
The result is a fresh synthesis of ideas—a new approach to thinking about planning theory and its implications for, and relationship with, practice. Philosopher Michael Walzer has asserted that "philosophy reflects and articulates the political culture of its time, and politics presents and enacts the arguments of philosophy." Similarly, the authors view planning theory as planning reflected upon in tranquility, away from the tumult of battle, and planning practice as planning theory acted out in the confusion of the trenches. Each changes the other in a dynamic way, and the authors demonstrate the intimate and inextricable link between them.
Editorial Reviews
From the Publisher
“Dialogical Planning is a very personal book, as it relates the philosophical explorations of Harper and Stein over a fifteen-year period… It incorporates eleven contributions published between 1992 and 2005… [T]his is a major contribution to planning theory. It offers an inquiry that takes root in planning practice and blossoms into an original theoretical perspective on planning, which stands out among the two or three major schools of thought that dominate the field… Dialogical Planning assumes prior knowledge of philosophy and planning theory.” —Pierre Filion, Canadian Journal of Urban Research “The purpose of this book is to address the question: “What is the best planning approach for a contemporary liberal democratic society?” Harper and Stein are looking for a process that will help us to understand, critique, develop, and reform public institutions, processes, and agencies, and to make decisions and resolve conflicts within these frameworks… The philosophical angle of the book is clear in the preface; the book is a critical study of a certain conception of philosophy, namely neopragmatism, and its application to planning. Harper and Stein are seeking to situate dialogical planning in relation to contemporary ideas about epistemology, rational action, deliberative democracy, power, and so on… Harper and Stein painstakingly position dialogical planning in relation to the various tenets and characteristics of postmodernism. They do an important job in clarifying why certain intellectual currents in social research do not fit well with communicative planning’s critical and liberal orientation… Harper and Stein’s book addresses problems and contradictions that have been haunting planning theory at least for the last couple of decades. This includes the modernism/postmodernism debate, the Rawlsian presentation of critical liberalism, the varying approaches to multiculturalism, and critiques of Foucauldian ideas of power. Harper and Stein’s treatment of these themes should make the book appealing to a wide range of planning theorists. As a textbook, it is likely to be best suited to the graduate level.” —Tore Sager, Journal of Urban Affairs “[A] useful reference for planning students, planners, and all other actors in the planning process who wish to explore some of the major shifts in their endeavors over the last century.” —Belinda Yuen, Journal of Regional Science “Harper and Stein’s… engaging style makes their book accessible and informative to a wide range of audiences, from graduate students through fellow academics to reflective practitioners… These ideas and concepts from recent and contemporary philosophy are highly relevant for planning theorists and practitioners alike, and for this Harper and Stein’s book makes enlightening reading.” —E.R. Alexander, Planning Theory “Harper and Stein are seeking to situate dialogical planning in relation to contemporary ideas about epistemology, rational action, deliberative democracy, power, and so on. No other textbook takes postmodernism as seriously as this one. Harper and Stein painstakingly position dialogical planning in relation to the various tenants and characteristics of postmodernism. They do an important job of clarifying why certain intellectual currents in social research do not fit well with communicative planning’s critical and liberal orientation… Harper and Stein’s book addresses problems and contradictions that have been haunting planning theory at least for the last couple of decades. This includes the modernism/postmodernism debate, the Rawlsian presentation of critical liberalism, the varying approaches to multiculturalism, and critiques of Foucauldian ideas of power. Harper and Stein’s treatment of these themes should make the book appealing to a wide range of planning theorists.” —Tore Sager, Journal of Urban AffairsProduct Details
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Meet the Author
Thomas L. Harper is a professor in the planning program of the Faculty of Environmental Design, University of Calgary. He served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Planning Education and Research, the biennial Dialogues in Urban and Regional Planning, and the annual Canadian Policy and Planning. A member of the Canadian Institute of Planners, he has consulted for government, community, and private-sector clients and has served on boards and committees for numerous community, social service, educational, and church organizations.
Stanley M. Stein is professor emeritus in environmental design, University of Calgary. In collaboration with Thomas Harper, he has published widely on the practical implications of philosophical and ethical aspects of planning theory, the ethical and economic justifications of government intervention, environmental ethics, and social institutions. In collaboration with other colleagues, he has published work on theories of aesthetics and design as well as architecture theory. Stein served on the editorial board of the Journal of Planning Education and Research.