The State and Justice
An Essay in Political Theory

This book offers a political theory combining elements from the Marxist and liberal traditions.

Milton Fisk (Author)

9780521374736, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 September 1989

404 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 2.7 cm, 0.76 kg

"This is an important, ambitious book. Rather than continuing the debate about what Marx thought about justice or the state, Fisk has set out to construct a materialist theory of each, and their interrelation...He draws on concrete historical and contemporary experience to a degree rare among philosophers...Fisk is bold, unconventional, provocative. Few readers will agree with everything here; fewer still will come away without new ideas buzzing in the brain." David Schweickart, Radical Philosophy Review of Books

This book offers a political theory combining elements from the Marxist and liberal traditions. It presents the reader with a disturbing view of the contemporary state as at war with itself. This internal conflict is no accident but stems from the state's having the double task of spurring on the economy and protecting the welfare and rights of all its citizens. Such conflict does not end at national boundaries but extends through the system of any imperial state. This perspective illuminates the fractures and instability within the imperial system. This book will be of particular interest to political scientists, political philosophers, and those engaged in policy studies.

Preface
Introduction: can the state rule without justice?
Part I. An Outline of a Materialist Political Theory: 1. A challenge to materialism
2. A framework for the state
3. The revolt against theory
4. State autonomy
Part II. An Assessment of the Place of Justice in the State: 5. Ideal justice
6. Property and justice
7. Repression and radical justice
8. Justice and materialism
9. Equality and liberty
10. Class and the limits of control
Part III. A Functional View of Political Institutions: 11. On functional explanation
12. Power and function
13. Democracy, its bright and dark sides
14. Welfare capitalism
15. The new mercantilism
16. Organized labor and the state
Part IV. An Account of the Community of States: 17. Global justice
18. The imperial state
19. Peace through strength
20. The Soviet Union as other
Part V. A Reflection on the Transition to a New Kind of State: 21. Liberal egalitarianism
22. Revolutionary anarchism
23. Democracy and the transition to socialism
24. The socialist state
Conclusion: state class, and democracy
Notes
Index.

Subject Areas: Jurisprudence & philosophy of law [LAB], Social & political philosophy [HPS]