Books in the Social and Political Power series

This book presents thirteen essays from a leading contemporary political scientist, with a substantial introduction bringing together the themes. The topics covered include political and social power, freedom, choice, rights, responsibility, the author's unique account of luck and systematic luck and the nature of leadership. There are also discussions of conceptual analysis, the structure-agency debate, luck egalitarianism, Sen's liberal paradox, problems in the measurement of freedom and choice and the differences between instrumental and intrinsic accounts of the value of freedom and related concepts. The wide-ranging material will provide an excellent text for students at all levels. It is appropriate reading for a host of courses in the fields of political science, political sociology and political theory at both undergraduate and graduate level. Whilst addressing some philosophically difficult and advanced subjects, the accessible writing makes the subject-matter comprehensible for all levels of students.

When and for what reasons does parents' power have legitimacy? How do we rationally justify such normative evaluations? A number of specific case studies are examined in detail and an argument is made for a pluralist approach both to the conceptualisation of power and to its normative evaluation. -- .

This book examines contemporary public administration reforms seeking to promote accountability, credibility and evidence.It is argued that a particular form of constructivist neoliberalism play a pivotal role in these reforms. -- .

This book shows the workings of power in the micro dynamics of welfare encounters. By staying close to real world welfare encounters, the book contributes to the broad scholarly field of welfare studies that either takes a Foucauldian perspective on governance, Weberian approach to the bureaucracy or contributes to the sociology of professions. -- .

This is an original account of social/political power, which builds upon cutting edge social theory, including Steven Lukes and Michel Foucault. The book develops a four-dimensional model, in an accessible style with vivid examples. It is ideal for undergraduates, postgraduates, academics and activist who wish to understand power and conflict. -- .