The thesis examines the relationship between the representation of temporality and contingency in political theory and the theorisation of rational and moral norms. In particular, it looks at the supposed opposition between political realism and political moralism; and argues that this dichotomy presents a false picture. Further, the thesis argues that the relevance of political theory to politics cannot be restricted to an account of political realism. It argues that realism provides a parochial and restrictive conception of the practice of reasoning in politics and a partisan account of political theory. Political realism seeks to divorce political theory from ethical and rational norms but in doing so it relies upon contentious views of political norms and the way they should be theorised. Ultimately the thesis overturns the paradigmatic opposition between moralism and realism and looks more closely at the relationship between temporality, contingency and the yielding of rational and moral political norms. The thesis draws on the political philosophy of Michael Oakeshott, Stuart Hampshire and Bernard Williams and examines the way in which their accounts of political norms incorporate due awareness of temporality and contingency.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:602972 |
| Date | January 2010 |
| Creators | Abin, Esther |
| Publisher | Keele University |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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