Pragmatism and Political Theory

Festenstein provides a fresh and timely assessment of the Pragmatist tradition, arguing that a proper view of it deepens our understanding of democratic politics and the foundations of moral and political theory. The author develops this approach through a detailed and original reading of the work of four key thinkers, John Dewey, Richard Rorty, Jürgen Habermas and Hilary Putnam.

The author argues that two clusters of problems are central to pragmatist political philosophy: the objectivity of political morality, and the theoretical foundations of democratic community. In the context of these issues the book provides an interpretation of pragmatist political theory and assesses its adequacy. The result is a lucid interpretation which establishes the continuing relevance of Pragmatism in contemporary debates in philosophy and political theory.

Pragmatism and Political Theory will be invaluable reading for students in philosophy, ethics, politics theory and the history of political thought.