James M. Buchanan, George Mason University
"Here is a political philosophy as it should be: serious issues discussed with verve, wit, courage, and genuine understanding. Conventional wisdom may be overmatched unless its defenders rise to de Jasay's challenge."
Book Description
Government depends on collective decision making. Even in peaceful democracies, some decide for all. The author challenges the morality of this position. It is not different political systems that are at fault so much as the very nature of politics itself. IAgainst Politics draws together de Jasay's key work in this area over the last ten years. In the first section of the book de Jasay attacks contractarian thought and the very notion of the legitimacy of politics. In the final section he outlines an alternative vision, a form of ordered anarchy based on social virtues, achievements and institutions which exist prior to government and which are not contingent on political arrangements.
