Ethics and Activism: The Theory and Practice of Political Morality
Cambridge University Press (1997)
| Abstract | Responsible citizens are expected to combine ethical judgement with judiciously exercised social activism to preserve the moral foundation of democratic society and prevent political injustice. But do they? Utilizing a research model integrating insights from rational choice theory and cognitive developmental psychology this book carefully explores three exemplary cases of morally inspired activism: Jewish rescue in wartime Europe, abortion politics in the United States, and peace and settler activism in Israel. From all three analyses a single conclusion emerges: the most politically competent individuals are, most often, the least morally competent. This is the central paradox of political morality. These findings cast doubt on strong models of political morality characterized by enlightened moral reasoning and concerted political action while affirming alternative weak models that fuse activism with sectarian moral interests. They provide empirical support to further upend the liberal vision of democratic character, education, and society. | |||||||||
| Keywords | Political ethics Political activists | |||||||||
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| Buy the book | $88.11 new (11% off) $97.80 direct from Amazon (1% off) Amazon page | |||||||||
| Call number | JA79.G73 1997 | |||||||||
| ISBN(s) | 0521580978 9780521580977 | |||||||||
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Steven Lukes (1991). Moral Conflict and Politics. Clarendon Press.
Gayil Talshir (2005). The Intellectual as a Political Actor? Four Models of Theory/Praxis. Critical Review of International Social and Political Philosophy 8 (2):209-224.
Christopher McMahon (2009). Reasonable Disagreement: A Theory of Political Morality. Cambridge University Press.
Sidney G. Tarrow (2005). The New Transnational Activism. Cambridge University Press.
Archon Fung (2005). Deliberation Before the Revolution: Toward an Ethics of Deliberative Democracy in an Unjust World. Political Theory 33 (3):397 - 419.
Lee Wentz (2004). Ethics and Activism: The Theory and Practice of Political Morality. Philosophia 31 (3-4):589-596.
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