Morální základy politiky

This book, written by Ian Shapiro, a contemporary American political theorist, examines the legitimacy of political power. The scholar begins by characterizing the understanding of politics based on science encompassed by the Enlightenment, and moves on to a detailed analysis of the three main traditions that spring from it: utilitarianism, Marxism and the social contract tradition. The following chapter focuses on critics of the Enlightenment and the book ends with contemplations about how to formulate democracy to be able to further develop the Enlightenment project. Shapiro’s book, both easy to read and erudite, searches for answers to the questions of why and to what extent the state can force citizens to act in a particular way.