John Rawls is the most prominent American thinker. He is credited with establishing a new paradigm of political theory, which supposedly was dead before. His approach sparked a high interest on both sides of the Atlantic. The debates around the libertarian and communitarian critique caused by his approach showed, however, that America had quite different but nevertheless strong traditions of political thinking. These and other American political ideas developed rather in contrast to Rawls and what Europeans appreciate about him. Thus, the rift between American and European political culture increased after Rawls. While starting with Rawls and the debate his approach initiated, the seminar will also highlight some alternative approaches in American political thought before and beyond Rawls.
Literature/Introduction: Bryan-Paul Frost/Jeffrey Sikkenga (eds), History of American Political Thought (Lanham: Lexington, 2003)
Studienleistung/Coursework: Presentation
Prüfungsleistung/Examination: Seminar Paper (Hausarbeit nach der maßgeblichen Prüfungsordnung).
- Lehrende/r: Mariano Barbato