Political philosophy
Subtitle: fact, fiction, and vision
By: Mario Bunge.
Publisher: Transaction Publishers
Published: 2008
Place of publication: New Brunswick, NJ
Language: eng
Number of pages: 439
ISBN-13: 9781412808286
Subjects: Political science; Political science -- Philosophy
Description: "This book is about politics, political theory, and political philosophy. Although these disciplines are often conflated because they interact, they actually are distinct. Political theory is part of political science, whereas political philosophy is a hybrid of political theory and philosophy. The former discipline is descriptive and explanatory, whereas the latter is prescriptive - to the point that it is often called "normative theory." It is in fact the evaluative study of political societies. Whereas political theorists describe and explain politics, political philosophers examine it critically and venture to suggest improvements and, on occasion, radically different social futures. Political philosophers propose scenarios and dreams where political scientists offer snapshots of existing polities. While these disciplines are distinct, Mario Bunge asserts that they must inform each other." "He also believes that political philosophers should pay more attention to numbers, such as the standard index of income inequality and the more comprehensive United Nations human development index for the various nations. It is pointless to write about redistributive policies unless we have some of idea of current wealth distribution. This is, in short a modern treatise of inherited concerns."--Jacket.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Philosophical background : universal ideas; title: Citizen and polity : diversity and unity; title: Values and morals : individual and social; title: Ideology : issues and ideals; title: Contention and negotiation; title: Public governance; title: Scientific input to politics; title: Technological input to technology; title: Vision : integral democracy.