Review: Jeremy Waldron’s Political Political Theory
| Author | David Runciman |
| Published date | 01 July 2019 |
| Date | 01 July 2019 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1177/1474885116671137 |
| Subject Matter | Review Article |
European Journal of Political Theory
2019, Vol. 18(3) 437–446
!The Author(s) 2016
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DOI: 10.1177/1474885116671137
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EJPT
Review Article
Review: Jeremy Waldron’s
Political Political Theory
David Runciman
University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
Jeremy Waldron, Political Political Theory: Essays on Institutions, Harvard University Press:
Cambridge, 2016, 416 pp.
Abstract
This collectionseeks to ground political theory in the study ofinstitutions, particularly the
constitutional relationship between different branches of government. It makes the case
that ‘constitutionalism’ has becomea thin doctrine of political restraint.Waldron wants to
identify a fuller conceptual understanding of how the functions of government can be
empowered and articulated. In doing so, he sets out a position that is distinct from both
moralism and realism in contemporary political theory. I explore how well the later dis-
tinction holds up: how successfully does Waldron’s approach marry realist concerns with
the rigour of analytical political theory? I also discuss the role it leaves for the history of
political thoughtand whether it can deal with the populist strain in contemporary politics.
Keywords
Institutions, realism, constitutionalism, history, democracy
The motivating force behind this collection of essays is Jeremy Waldron’s wish to
get political theory to take institutions seriously. This includes championing the
study of what he calls in the opening chapter (which is based on his inaugural
lecture as Chichele Professor of Social and Political Theory at Oxford) ‘traditional,
even fuddy-duddy, topics’ that tend to get lost sight of in contemporary arguments
about justice, virtue and reason: ‘federalism and devolution; the choice between a
unicameral and bicameral legislature; sovereignty; the separation of powers; checks
and balances; the independence of the judiciary; the principle of loyal opposition;
and the rule of law’ (6). As I write in August 2016, barely two months after the UK
voted in a plebiscite to leave the European Union and just weeks since the
Republican Party nominated Donald Trump as its candidate for President of the
United States, it is hard to disagree with anyone who criticises political theorists for
Corresponding author:
David Runciman, University of Cambridge, Alison Richard Building, 7 West Road, Cambridge CB3 9DT, UK.
Email: dwr12@cam.ac.uk
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