Abstract
In this article, I suggest that it is plausible to argue that Skinner’s methodology is inseparable from his intention to retrieve republicanism. This makes itself evident in the way he structures his critique of John Rawls. In line with Hobbes, this British historian interprets Rawls’s A Theory of Justice as another example of theory being politically neutralized. I will present the main aspects of Skinner’s analysis of Rawlsian liberalism from a neo-Machiavellian perspective, and discuss to what degree this analysis is or is not conclusive vis- a -vis the relationship between Rawls and republicanism. Finally, I will assess to what extent it is ideology that motivates the British historian to put his methodology in line with republicanism.
Highlights
I will assess to what extent it is ideology that motivates the British historian to put his methodology in line with republicanism
According to Quentin Skinner, in the fifties, political philosophy found itself between Scylla −depoliticized philosophy reduced to the analysis of how language is used− and Charybdis, conservative theory that −through authors like Voegelin and Strauss− took on an anti-modern form
The latter would help to replace the republican idea of freedom, depoliticize the citizenry and take sovereignty away from the people for the benefit of the State –a possible political agency−4
Summary
According to Quentin Skinner, in the fifties, political philosophy found itself between Scylla −depoliticized philosophy reduced to the analysis of how language is used− and Charybdis, conservative theory that −through authors like Voegelin and Strauss− took on an anti-modern form. For Skinner, only an “in context” analysis and rhetoric can show the structuring of Hobbesian theory and reveal the intention of this contractual theory The latter would help to replace the republican idea of freedom, depoliticize the citizenry and take sovereignty away from the people for the benefit of the State –a possible political agency−4. I will firstly summarize the main aspects of Skinner’s assessment of Rawlsian liberalism For this purpose, the author of Visions of Politics refers to Machiavelli so as to express his critique of Rawls more clearly. I will return to certain relevant aspects to contextualize the ideological intention that lies behind Skinner’s critique of Rawls
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