Civil Society and Political Theory (Studies in Contemporary German Social Thought) [Hardcover]

Jean L. Cohen (Author), Andrew Arato (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1992 | Series: Studies in Contemporary German Social Thought

In this work on the theory of civil society, Jean Cohen and Andrew Arato contend that the concept of civil society articulates a contested terrain in the West that could become the primary locus for the expansion of democracy and rights. Cohen and Arato point out that "civil society" has become the catch-all term to invoke everything that communist and military dictatorships suppress, yet it has an ambiguous status under liberal democracies. To some,it indicates simply what the West already has and appears to lack any critical potential in terms of the injustices and dysfunctions of a democratic society. To others the concept belongs to early modern forms of political philosophy that are irrelevant to complex societies today. "Civil Society and Political Theory" challenges both truisms. Its theoretical analysis demonstrates the modernity and the normative / critical relevance of the concept to all types of contemporary societies and to democrats and liberals everywhere. The first part of the book discusses the reemergence of the discourse of civil society in Europe and Latin America, provides a history of the concept that takes Hegel's masterful synthesis as the starting point, and analyzes 20th century theoretical critiques by scholars such as Hannah Arendt, Carl Schmitt, Jurgen Habermas, Michel Foucault, and Niklas Luhmann. The second part attempts a reconstruction of the concept, based on Habermas' dualistic theory. Four theoretical studies form a bridge between theory and politics, by answering the criticisms raised earlier in the book and particularly through an analysis of social movements and civil disobedience in terms of the categories of civil society.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Cohen and Arato provide a wonderfully illuminating and detailed account of the civil society argument as it has developed in Europe. And then they turn that argument into a critical theory of American society or, more generally, of liberal democracy -- pointing the way toward a more effectively and pervasively democratic liberalism." Michael Walzer

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

About the Author

Jean L. Cohen is Associate Professor of Political Theory at Columbia University.

Andrew Arato is Professor of Sociology at the New School for Social Research.

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 600 pages
• Publisher: Mit Pr (February 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0262031779
• ISBN-13: 978-0262031776
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,370,144 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A "Must" for PolS Readers, April 20, 2007

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This review is from: Civil Society and Political Theory (Studies in Contemporary German Social Thought) (Paperback)

An incredible task carried aout by two prominent researchers in the field. Arato and Cohen accomplished a great job in this work. The reader both will find a lucid theoretical evaluation of the concept of 'civil society' and will have a better understanding of twentieth century political philosophy. Also, the book does not only 'summarize' the basic arguments and debates about 'civil society'; but also offers a new understanding of our social and political world by their genuine model. As a researcher in the field I do really appreciate their effort and thank these two brilliant researchers for their fastidious and meticulous work.