Introducing Political Philosophy

Dr Andrew Walton is a Senior Lecturer in the Politics Department at Newcastle University, and he researches issues in trade justice, economics ethics, and housing policy.

Mr William Abel is a Senior Economist at the Bank of England, and he works on labour markets, housing, and consumer spending.

Dr Elizabeth Kahn is an Assistant Professor in Political Theory in the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University, and she researches the relationship between structural injustices and the obligations of individuals.

Dr Tom Parr is an Associate Professor in Political Theory in the Department of Politics and International Studies at the University of Warwick, and he researches issues relating to egalitarianism, economic justice, and the future of work.

Introducing Political Philosophy is a thought-provoking introduction that invites readers to consider and analyse the philosophical controversies that underpin several prominent areas of political debate.

The opening chapter familiarises students with the aims and methods of political philosophy. It explains the tools required to practice the discipline, and discusses how to apply these to political arguments. Each of the fifteen subsequent chapters focuses on a distinct area of public policy, such as affirmative action, humanitarian intervention, immigration, and parental leave. The authors introduce students to the moral questions that lie at the heart of these political disputes, as well as to some of the relevant academic literature.

The authors believe that the best way to learn about political philosophy is to see it in action. By arguing for a position in each chapter and defending it against criticisms, they demonstrate to students how political philosophy can inform our analysis of public policy.

Introducing Political Philosophy is available for students and institutions to purchase in a variety of formats, and is supported by online resources.
The e-book offers a mobile experience and convenient access along with hyperlinks a list of web-links, and self-test questions, helping to test your knowledge and understanding of policy areas, and the philosophical arguments that influence them: oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooks.
· Student resources: a curated list of websites help you to deepen your knowledge of policy areas, and self-test questions help you to critically evaluate key points from each chapter.
· Lecturer resources include: seminar activities to encourage student engagement, discussion and debate; guidance on using the teaching activities; a teaching guide explaining how to get the most out of the book's inside-out approach; and customisable PowerPoint slides on key topics, thinkers, and concepts to aid effective teaching preparation.

Offering a uniquely policy-driven approach, Introducing Political Philosophy is the only text to showcase contemporary policy problems through the lens of key debates in political philosophy.