Contesting the Common Good: T. H. Green and Contemporary Republicanism

Tyler, Colin

Abstract

© Oxford University Press, 2014. All Rights Reserved. This chapter establishes that Green's republicanism overcomes the limitations of contemporary philosophical attempts to reinvigorate the republican tradition. Green avoids the contemporary dichotomy between 'protective' (Pettit) and 'civic humanist' (Sandel, Honohan) republicanism. The chapter begins by highlighting Green's selfidentification as a republican, with the second section sketching the contemporary republican landscape. Section three establishes that Green's conceptions of 'independence' and 'true freedom' are superior to those used by contemporary philosophers. Green's conceptualisations of true freedom and intersubjective recognition are also explored. Section four analyses Greenian 'civic virtue' and its interrelationships with freedom. Section five explores the democratic contestability of the 'common good' in Green's republicanism, something that causes significant difficulties for contemporary republicans. Section six critically assesses Green's decentralised political structure, before section seven explores his radical theory of patriotism and civil disobedience. The conclusion argues that Green's republicanism is more coherent, integrated, and compelling than the leading contemporary versions.

Citation

Tyler, C. (2008). Contesting the Common Good: T. H. Green and Contemporary Republicanism. In M. Dimova-Cookson, & W. J. Mander (Eds.), T.H. Green: Ethics, metaphysics and political philosophy (262 - 291). Oxford: Clarendon Press. https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof%3Aoso/9780199271665.003.0011

• Acceptance Date: Jun 1, 2008
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2008
• Pages: 262 - 291
• Book Title: T.H. Green: Ethics, metaphysics and political philosophy
• ISBN: 9780199271665
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/acprof%3Aoso/9780199271665.003.0011
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/405736