The book explores the critical relationship between ethics and public life, asserting that a lack of ethical consideration threatens the legitimacy and sustainability of political communities. It emphasizes the importance of integrating moral principles into governance to foster trust and cohesion among citizens, ultimately advocating for a more ethically aware political landscape.
A Theory of Civil Order for Free and Diverse Societies
Focusing on modern social contract theory, this book critiques its oversight of non-state associations' interests and rights. It argues for a more inclusive approach that recognizes the role of these groups in shaping society, challenging traditional views and proposing a polycentric model of governance. Through this lens, it explores the implications for political theory and the functioning of democracy in a diverse social landscape.
This collection of essays presents insightful discussions on the significant challenges facing citizenship theory and practice in a globalized, fragmented, and multicultural context. The traditional view of citizenship tied to shared ethnic, religious, or cultural identities is increasingly irrelevant, especially as international migration and mobility rise, alongside the pervasive influence of a global economy and mass media that transcend national borders. Key topics include the ethical and practical implications of patriotism in a global context, the role of conscience claims in diverse societies, citizen complicity in injustices, and the potential for practicing Muslims to accept a liberal constitutional order. Despite the diverse philosophical traditions represented—such as liberalism, pragmatism, Confucianism, Platonism, Thomism, and Islam—contributors agree that the crisis of modern citizenship reflects a deeper crisis in the ethical values that shape social life. This volume stands out for its combination of rigorous ethical analysis and a wide range of philosophical perspectives. Notably, chapters like “What is the use of an Ethical Theory of Citizenship?” and “An Ethical Defense of Citizenship” are available as open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.