Spellman, W. M. A Short History of Western Political Thought (New York: Palgrave MacMillan, 2011). In this readable and succinct volume, Spellman (University of North Carolina, Asheville) provides an introduction to the evolution of political ideas that have shaped the West. The author synthesizes a tremendous body of historical and philosophical sources into an accessible [...]
Tocqueville and His America: A Darker Horizon, by Kaledin, Arthur. In this discursive study dedicated to interpreting the “character and thought” (xiii) of Tocqueville, Kaledin (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) concentrates upon the ancillary and “darker” (less than optimistic) legacies of Tocqueville’s writings and views on politics and society. While expressing admiration for Tocqueville, Kaledin is more [...]
Friends, Announcing a forthcoming book by The Imaginative Conservative contributors Lee Cheek & Sean Busick, The Founding of the American Republic. A fine addition to your list of books to enjoy in 2012. To be published by Continuum, December 2012. Below is the publisher’s description. This non partisan book brings often ignored people, ideas, and events [...]
Constitutional Sentiments by András Sajó This engaging and thoughtful book seeks to “consider the role of emotions in constitutional law, accepting that one cannot understand human behavior and law as a purely rational venture (p. 4).” The author, András Sajó, a practicing judge (European Court of Human Rights) and academic (Central European University), offers a [...]