Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

4-2004

Abstract

A number of theorists have touted the merits of the contextual approach to political theory, arguing that a close examination of real-world cases is more likely to yield both theoretical insight and practical solutions to pressing problems. This is particularly evident, it is argued, in the field of multiculturalism in political theory. The present paper offers some skeptical reflections on this view, arguing the merits of a view of political theory which sees the contextual approach as less distinctive than its proponents imagine, and less useful than many would suggest. It maintains that there are serious limits to what political theorists can achieve, even if political theory is not without its uses if we value social criticism.

Keywords

Abstraction, Contextualism, Headscarves, Joseph Carens, Multiculturalism, Political theory

Discipline

Political Theory

Research Areas

Political Science

Publication

Ethical Theory and Moral Practice

Volume

7

Issue

2

First Page

215

Last Page

225

ISSN

1386-2820

Identifier

10.1023/B:ETTA.0000032808.92466.f5

Publisher

Springer Verlag (Germany)

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1023/B:ETTA.0000032808.92466.f5

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