David Boucher Knihy

A concise introduction to the ideas and writings of the British Idealists. >

David Boucher surveys the history of thinking about human rights and shows that far from being seen as universal and emancipatory, they have almost always privileged certain groups in relation to others

A comprehensive introduction to the history of Western political thought written by a line-up of internationally renowned scholars from four continents. This definitive collection provides an overview of the canon of great theorists from Socrates and the Sophists to contemporary thinkers suchas Habermas and Foucault. Each contributor critically discusses the ideas and significance of each thinker and gives a summation of the best contemporary scholarship in the area. This volume will become the major resource for all students of political thought over the next generation.

Both Dylan and Cohen have significantly influenced music and poetry for over six decades. The book opens by examining their contemporary relevance and the reasons behind their lasting appeal as artists. It then reflects on their early ambitions, highlighting their aspirations to achieve fame akin to Dylan Thomas and embody a lifestyle of social irresponsibility, similar to the Beat Generation figures like Ginsberg and Kerouac. The "Rimbaud of Cwmdonkin Drive" captivated America, showcasing that a bohemian poet could thrive outside academic confines. Although their fame has varied, Dylan and Cohen maintained their status by adopting diverse personas, allowing them to separate their public identities from their true selves. This exploration includes their relationship with religion as a means of preserving their inner identities. The book delves into their lyrics and poetry, considering the interplay between poetry and song, as well as Lorca's notions of poetic inspiration and the profound emotional depths of 'duende.' These concepts reflect the dislocation of the mind and the liberation of the senses that resonated with Dylan and Cohen when they encountered Rimbaud and Lorca's works. Ultimately, the connection between performance and poetry is emphasized, with 'duende'—the passion of delivery—being integral to their artistic expression and shared with the Beat Generation.

First published in 2004. WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE SOCIAL CONTRACT IN MODERN POLITICAL THOUGHT? The concept of a social contract has been central to political thought since the seventeenth century. Contract theory has been used to justify political authority, to account for the origins of the state, and to provide foundations for moral values and the creation of a just society. In The Social Contract from Hobbes to Rawls, leading scholars from Britain and America survey the history of contractarian thought and the major debates in political theory which surround the notion of the social contract. The book examines the critical reception to the ideas of thinkers including Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel and Marx, and includes the more contemporary ideas of John Rawls and David Gauthier. It also incorporates discussions of international relations theory and feminist responses to contractarianism. Together, the essays provide a comprehensive introduction to theories and critiques of the social contract within a broad political theoretical framework.