The Terms of Political Discourse. (Princeton Paperbacks) With a New preface b edition by Connolly, William E. (1993) Paperback

by William E. Connolly

Excellent Book

Genres: Philosophy, Politics

Paperback

First published January 1, 1974

About the author

William E. Connolly is a political theorist known for his work on democracy and pluralism. He is the Krieger-Eisenhower Professor of Political Science at Johns Hopkins University. His 1974 work The Terms of Political Discourse won the 1999 Benjamin Lippincott Award
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Reviews

[Eric Engle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book says obvious things in a non-obvious fashion. In other words, it's empty obscurantism. The language employed is needlessly complex. Where the writing isn't turbid it's turgid. It's as if Connolly read Strunk & White -- then went and did the exact opposite of what they recommend. This book needs more periods and fewer commas. It would be witty only if it were a grand exercise in recursion, using essentially contested terms to describe essentially contested topics in an essentially contested work. But it isn't witty, it's just pointlessly dense in style yet empty of substance, which explains its non-reception outside a VERY small circle of people whose careers rely on ... obscurantism.

I would love to be wrong or stupid here. However, having since read it I earned a degree in legal theory, published a book on legal theory and can with real confidence say: this book is bad.

Please tell me I am wrong somehow and why. I really want not to have wasted that time, and that there is some hidden gem of wisdom wrapped up inside this pointlessly obtuse garbage. But if you read it be sure not to buy your own copy, unless you need kindling...

[Victor Wu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short but compelling book about the pivotal role of political concepts and language in politics. The central idea is that of the "essentially contested concept." Politics, on Connolly's account, ineliminably involves contestation over the interpretation of key concepts such as "interest," "power," or "democracy." A "neutral" or purely technical account of these concepts is not possible or desirable. Ordinary language analysis can help illuminate some characteristic features of our use of these concepts, but it cannot decide for us how we ought to use them. At the same time, Connolly argues, against thoroughgoing deconstructionists, that debates about essentially contested concepts, despite having no final or authoritative answer, nevertheless can be understood and assessed according to partly rational criteria within the broad terms set by these concepts. Anyone interested in the role of ideas in politics will benefit from engaging with Connolly's work.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is an excellent introduction to thinking about political concepts. It would be esp. useful as a text for an Intro to Political Theory course. Connolly explains the meaning and stakes of conceptual debate. Esp. useful for instructors who want to illustrate the significance of the words we use when thinking and doing politics.

[Bookshark · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first chapter is indispensable reading for not only political theorists but all social scientists. The rest of the book serves to illustrate Connolly's initial points and may be a good starting point for entering into an analysis of one of the core concepts he identifies, but I did not find the subsequent chapters particularly useful for my own work.

[Haitham]

it is a good book for political discourse students