Stephanie Rinaldi
Title of thesis
Political Theory: Does it Matter What the People Think?
Summary
When we formulate normative theories as political philosophers, public opinion of them is not usually our primary concern. However, given that the subject matter of political theory relates to contemporary society and politics, we are susceptible to criticism if our approach is purely philosophical. Political scientists are likely to suggest that the public’s thoughts on such matters are, if not constitutive of the content of justice, at least relevant to the questions we are trying to answer. To investigate this issue, I am going to look closer into the relation between political science and political theory and the role public opinion can play. I also intend to look into existing theories which have considered public reasoning and determine whether their accommodation of public thought is sufficient or required for a just society. I will suggest that there are different levels of interaction which are possible between the people and normative theory and investigate whether one might be considered ideal.
Supervisors
Dr Jonathan Quong and Dr Thomas Porter
Planned submission date
September 2013
Research interests
Contemporary political philosophy, ideal and non-ideal theory, liberal justification and the relation between political science and political theory.
Email address
stephanie.rinaldi@postgrad.manchester.ac.uk