Political Thought and Political Thinkers

Judith Shklar was for decades one of the most influential professors at Harvard, training generations of some of the best known political theorists working today. She remains one of this century's most important liberal scholars, whose legacy of work testifies to her intellect and her passion for understanding. Political Thought and Political Thinkers brings together twenty-one essays written over her nearly forty-year career. The selection by Stanley Hoffmann includes published material that is difficult to locate as well as unpublished work.Including her classic "The Liberalism of Fear," these essays develop the major themes with which Shklar grappled and places them against the backdrop of the grim history of the twentieth century. This collection captures Shklar's broad range of interests - from the place of the intellect in the modern political world to the dangers of identity politics - and showcases her distinctive defense of liberalism.
Gathers a range of articles written by Judith Shklar (1928-1992), for decades one of Harvard's most influential political theorists whose liberalism and treatment of the issues of oppression and injustice are well represented in these 21 essays. Includes several published articles that are difficult to locate, as well as some previously unpublished work. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.
Ethics described Judith Shklar as "a towering presence" at Harvard for decades, an "influential teacher and mentor to many of the best known political theorists working today in the United States." One of this century's most important liberal scholars, she is remembered for her "sharp intellect, forceful personality, and passionate intellectual honesty and curiosity." Political Thought and Political Thinkers makes startlingly clear her role in the reinvigoration of liberal theory that has been taking place over the last two decades.This second volume of Shklar's work—which follows the 1997 publication of Redeeming American Political Thought—brings together heretofore uncollected (and several unpublished) essays on a number of themes, including the place of the intellect in the modern political world and the dangers of identity politics. While many of these essays have been previously published, they remain far from accessible. In collecting the work scattered over the past forty years in journals and other publications, noted political theorist Stanley Hoffmann provides an essential guide to Shklar's thought, complemented by George Kateb's comprehensive introduction to her work. Hoffmann's selection, which includes Shklar's classic essay "The Liberalism of Fear," showcases her distinctive defense of liberalism and follows her explorations in this history of moral and political thought as she engages with Bergson, Arendt, and Rousseau. Political Thought and Political Thinkers displays one of the century's most compelling and flexible intellects in action and is the definitive collection of her work on European history and thinkers."Shklar's legacy is an inspiring example of liberal thought at its arresting best, unflinchingly courageous and unmoved by the dreary and unmeaning harmonies conjured up by theories of justice and rights."—John Gray, Times Literary SupplementJudith N. Shklar (1928-1992) was Cowles Professor of Government at Harvard University and the author of nine books in political theory.
Ethics described Judith Shklar as "a towering presence" at Harvard for decades, an "influential teacher and mentor to many of the best known political theorists working today in the United States." One of this century's most important liberal scholars, she is remembered for her "sharp intellect, forceful personality, and passionate intellectual honesty and curiosity." Political Thought and Political Thinkers makes startlingly clear her role in the reinvigoration of liberal theory that has been taking place over the last two decades.This second volume of Shklar's work--which follows the 1997 publication of Redeeming American Political Thought--brings together heretofore uncollected (and several unpublished) essays on a number of themes, including the place of the intellect in the modern political world and the dangers of identity politics. While many of these essays have been previously published, they remain far from accessible. In collecting the work scattered over the past forty years in journals and other publications, noted political theorist Stanley Hoffmann provides an essential guide to Shklar's thought, complemented by George Kateb's comprehensive introduction to her work. Hoffmann's selection, which includes Shklar's classic essay "The Liberalism of Fear," showcases her distinctive defense of liberalism and follows her explorations in this history of moral and political thought as she engages with Bergson, Arendt, and Rousseau. Political Thought and Political Thinkers displays one of the century's most compelling and flexible intellects in action and is the definitive collection of her work on European history and thinkers."Shklar's legacy is an inspiring example of liberal thought at its arresting best, unflinchingly courageous and unmoved by the dreary and unmeaning harmonies conjured up by theories of justice and rights."--John Gray, Times Literary SupplementJudith N. Shklar (1928-1992) was Cowles Professor of Government at Harvard University and the author of nine books in political theory.