Political Constructivism

by Peri Roberts

Overview

Political Constructivism is concerned with the justification of principles of political justice in the face of pluralism. Contemporary accounts of multiculturalism, pluralism and diversity have challenged the capacity of political theory to impartially justify principles of justice beyond the boundaries of particular communities.

In this original account, Peri Roberts argues that political constructivism defends a conception of objective and universal principles that set normative limits to justifiable political practice. Political Constructivism explores this understanding in two ways. Firstly, by engaging with constructivist thinkers such as John Rawls and Onora O’Neill in order to lay out a basic understanding of what constructivism is. Secondly, the author goes on to defend a particular account of political constructivism that justifies a universal primary constructivism alongside the many secondary constructions in which we live our everyday lives. In doing so he outlines an understanding of principled pluralism which accepts diversity whilst at the same time recognising its limits.

This volume will be of particular interest to students and researchers of political theory and political philosophy.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415339872
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	10/31/2007
Series:	Routledge Innovations in Political Theory , #27
Pages:	208
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Peri Roberts is a lecturer in the Politics Department at Cardiff University, UK.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction 2. Constructivism and a Theory of Justice 3. The Constructivism of Political Liberalism 4. Primary Constructivism and O’Neill 5. Reasoning Practically: A Constructivist Understanding of Practical Reasoning 6. Making Practice Reasonable: Political Constructivism