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Overview
This book studies the work of John Stuart Mill in order to answer the question: what is political theory? Looking at what political theorists have written about this subject leads to the conclusion that they have different ways of defining political theory, resulting in different readings of political theory. In defense of this argument, Reading Mill includes three different readings of the works of John Stuart Mill and identifies a fourth type of political theorist unlikely to read Mill. When it comes to the question with which the book began, the only answer is that political theory is not one but four possible practices. This means that there are four different ways of reading a political theorist and reading political theory. The book calls for political theorists to recognize the value of their different ways of understanding political theory and, as a result, to tolerate their differences where they cannot celebrate them.Editorials
Booknews
Using interpretations of the writings of John Stuart Mill as an anchor, the author argues that there are three different kinds of political theory with regard to Mill, as well as one that doesn't concern itself with his ideas. These four frameworks of theory are termed traditionalist, historicist, linguistic, and behaviouralist. He examines the first three in depth as to their respective readings of Mill, and then discusses the benefits and drawbacks of all four. He concludes that political theorists should become more aware and tolerant of the idea that there are four different answers to the question: "What is political theory?" Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.Book Details
Published
March 1, 1998
Publisher
New York : St. Martin's Press, 1998.
Pages
208
Format
Hardcover
ISBN
9780312212049