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This edition published in the UK and the USA in 2011 by Icon Books Ltd, Omnibus Business Centre, 39–41 North Road, London N7 9DP email: info@iconbooks.com www.introducingbooks.com Sold in the UK, Europe and Asia by Faber & Faber Ltd, Bloomsbury House, 74–77 Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3DA or their agents Distributed in South Africa by Jonathan Ball, Office B4, The District, 41 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock 7925 Distributed in Australia and New Zealand by Allen & Unwin Pty Ltd, PO Box 8500, 83 Alexander Street, Crows Nest, NSW 2065 Distributed in the USA by Publishers Group West, 1700 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA 94710 Distributed in Canada by Publishers Group Canada, 76 Stafford Street, Unit 300 Toronto, Ontario M6J 2S1 Previously published in 2003 and 2006 ISBN: 978-184831-203-6 Text and illustrations copyright © 2012 Icon Books Ltd The author and artist have asserted their moral rights. Originating editor: Richard Appignanesi No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, or by any means, without prior permission in writing from the publisher. Printed and bound in the UK by Clays Ltd, St Ives plc
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Questions Political philosophers ask questions about individuals, communities, society, the law, political power, the State, and about how they all relate . .... Is it possible or desirable to say what human beings are "really like"? .... What is society? Is it something more than the people who l ive in it? Or was the British Prime Minister Mrs Thatcher right to say "There is no such thing as society"? .... What is the State? Is it an artificial construct or something that has naturally evolved? .... How free can the State allow individual citizens to be? Are there good moral reasons why citizens are obliged to obey the law? To what extent does the State have the right to punish those who disobey its commands? .. Is democracy the best form of government? .... Should the State be interested in furthering economic equality? If so, should it be allowed to interfere with other people's private property?

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Questions Political philosophers ask questions about individuals, communities, society, the law, political power, the State, and about how they all relate .

.... Is it possible or desirable to say what human beings are "really like"?

.... What is society? Is it something more than the people who l ive in it?

Or was the British Prime Minister Mrs Thatcher right to say "There is no such thing as society"?

.... What is the State? Is it an artificial construct or something that has naturally evolved?

.... How free can the State allow individual citizens to be? Are there good moral reasons why citizens are obliged to obey the law? To what extent does the State have the right to punish those who disobey its commands?

.. Is democracy the best form of government?

.... Should the State be interested in furthering economic equality? If so,

should it be allowed to interfere with other people's private property?

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