On Civic Republicanism

Continuing the analysis of contemporary issues through the lens of ancient theories beyond the themes of Enduring Empire and the award-winning On Oligarchy, On Civic Republicanism explores the enduring relevance of the ancient concepts of republicanism and civic virtue to modern questions about political engagement and identity. Examining both ancient and early modern conceptions of civic republicanism, the contributors respond to the work of thinkers ranging from Plato and Aristotle to Machiavelli, Montesquieu, and Wollstonecraft. A testament to the continuing influence of the concept and the ongoing scholarly debate which surrounds it, On Civic Republicanism addresses fundamental questions regarding democratic participation, liberal democracy, and the public good. Its essays speak to the many ways in which the idea of the republic still challenges us today

Preface : a return to classical regimes theory / David Edward Tabachnick and Toivo Koivukoski -- Introduction / Geoffrey C. Kellow -- part one. The classical heritage -- 1. The problematic character of Periclean Athens / Timothy W. Burns -- 2. Aristotle's topological politics; Michael Sandel's civic republicanism / David Roochnik -- 3. Living well and the promise of cosmopolitan identity : Aristotle's ergon and contemporary civic republicanism / Michael Weinman -- 4. Groundwork for a theory of republican character in a democratic age / Wendell John Coats, Jr -- 5. Ancient, modern, and post-national democracy : deliberation and citizenship between the political and the universal / Crystal Cordell Paris -- part two. The Enlightenment : an accelerated reception? -- 6. Machiavelli's art of politics : a critique of humanism and the lessons of Rome / Jarrett A. Carty -- 7. Transforming "manliness" into courage : two democratic perspectives / Ryan K. Balot -- 8. Montesquieu on corruption : civic purity in a post-republican world / Robert Sparling -- 9. The fortitude of the uncertain : political courage in David Hume's political philosophy / Marc Hanvelt -- 10. Sparta, modernity, enlightenment / Varad Mehta -- 11. A master of the art of persuasion : Rousseau's platonic teaching on the virtuous legislator / Brent Edwin Cusher -- 12. Civil religion, civic republicanism, and enlightenment in Rousseau / Lee Ward -- 13. Mary Wollstonecraft and Adam Smith on gender, history, and the civic republican tradition / Neven Leddy -- 14. Pinocchio and the puppet of Plato's Laws / Jeffrey Dirk Wilson -- 15. Unity in multiplicity : agency and aesthetics in German republicanism / Douglas Moggach.

Cover -- Title page -- Copyright page -- Contents -- Preface: A Return to Classical Regimes Theory -- Introduction -- Part 1. The Classical Heritage -- 1. The Problematic Character of Periclean Athens -- 2. Aristotle's Topological Politics -- Michael Sandel's Civic Republicanism -- 3. Living Well and the Promise of Cosmopolitan Identity: Aristotle's ergon and Contemporary Civic Republicanism -- 4. Groundwork for a Theory of Republican Character in a Democratic Age -- 5. Ancient, Modern, and Post-National Democracy: Deliberation and Citizenship between the Political and the Universal -- Part 2. The Enlightenment: An Accelerated Reception? -- 6. Machiavelli's Art of Politics: A Critique of Humanism and the Lessons of Rome -- 7. Transforming "Manliness" into Courage: Two Democratic Perspectives -- 8. Montesquieu on Corruption: Civic Purity in a Post-Republican World -- 9. The Fortitude of the Uncertain: Political Courage in David Hume's Political Philosophy -- 10. Sparta, Modernity, Enlightenment -- 11. A Master of the Art of Persuasion: Rousseau's Platonic Teaching on the Virtuous Legislator -- 12. Civil Religion, Civic Republicanism, and Enlightenment in Rousseau -- 13. Mary Wollstonecraft and Adam Smith on Gender, History, and the Civic Republican Tradition -- 14. Pinocchio and the Puppet of Plato's Laws -- 15. Unity in Multiplicity: Agency and Aesthetics in German Republicanism -- Contributors.

"Continuing the analysis of contemporary issues through the lens of ancient theories beyond the themes of Enduring Empire and the award-winning On Oligarchy, On Civic Republicanism explores the enduring relevance of the ancient concepts of republicanism and civic virtue to modern questions about political engagement and identity. Examining both ancient and early modern conceptions of civic republicanism, the contributors respond to the work of thinkers ranging from Plato and Aristotle to Machiavelli, Montesquieu, and Wollstonecraft. A testament to the continuing influence of the concept and the ongoing scholarly debate which surrounds it, On Civic Republicanism addresses fundamental questions regarding democratic participation, liberal democracy, and the public good. Its essays speak to the many ways in which the idea of the republic still challenges us today."--Publisher's description