The Return of Politics - Political Neutrality and Its Limits

Author: Tan Ankui
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2007-02-01
Features: The central theme of this work involves two crucial concepts in modern political philosophy. One is the concept of "politics," and the other is the concept of "neutrality." The former is ancient, existing as long as human societies have had politics. The latter is more recent, characteristic of or prominent in modern society, especially in liberal democratic societies. The most crucial, of course, is the concept of "politics," which any political philosophy or theory must encounter. As an order, politics contains certain normative elements in its concept. Politics deals with the issue of power; though it arises from cooperation or aims for it, it necessarily involves conflict. Political actors often take positions without hesitation, fighting for power or even for ideas. "（Political）neutrality" is primarily associated with liberalism. It means that from a certain perspective, politics treats people equally, that is, it maintains a neutral, impartial, or even indifferent attitude toward various value systems, beliefs, pursuits, or comprehensive doctrines. This work's central theme involves two crucial concepts in modern political philosophy. One is the concept of "politics," and the other is the concept of "neutrality." The former is ancient, existing as long as human societies have had politics. The latter is more recent, characteristic of or prominent in modern society, especially in liberal democratic societies. The most crucial, of course, is the concept of "politics," which any political philosophy or theory must encounter. This book addresses the fundamental concepts and important yet challenging topics of the author's works. As for in-depth theoretical discussions and the author's own discoveries, readers can explore the book themselves. China's political sphere has traditionally been strong in tactics but weak in theory, and the 20th century was an era where political action—primarily manifested in intense mass political movements—far outweighed political thought. Now, for us, perhaps the more important task is not to change the world but to explain it. Of course, such explanations will also influence future political actions through the mediation of time and people.