Foundations of Civic Engagement is a comprehensive survey and reassessment of the entire field of social and political philosophy. Suitable for use as a primary text for courses on political thought, this book explores the basic arguments of the most important historical and contemporary figures and offers a thematic critique and integration of these philosophies. This dynamic book includes in-depth discussions of Ancient Greek, modern and contemporary theories of communitarianism, social contract, feminism, classical liberal rights-based approaches, African American philosophy, postmodernism, Marxism, critical theory, and theories of communicative actions (e.g. Habermas). Throughout philosophical history, there is a tension between social development of the political person-as in personalist, communitarian, feminist, postmodern, and Continental thought-and the abstract contractual principles needed for impartial justice and freedom of conscience. This chasm can be bridged to some extent by combining ideal contractualism with the tools of feminist theory, discourse ethics, and critical theory. Foundations of Civic Engagement evaluates these tensions, as well as the criticisms and response to criticism for each theory, in order to promote open dialogue, analysis, and a realistic assessment of each philosophy.

Ralph D. Ellis is a Full Professor at Clark-Atlanta University. He holds a M.S. in Public and Urban Affairs from Georgia State University, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from Duquesne University. Dr. Ellis is an accomplished author with dozens of published articles and more than 10 published books, including Coherence and Verification in Ethics also from the University Press of America and Just Results from Georgetown University Press. Norman Fischer is Assistant Professor in the Department of Religion and Philosophy at Clark-Atlanta University. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Philosophy from Emory University and has published on both ancient and modern philosophy. James B. Sauer is Associate Professor of Philosophy and Theology at St. Mary's University. He holds a M.A. and Ph.D. in Ethics from Saint Paul University. He is editor of Philosophy in the Contemporary World and author of numerous books and articles on philosophy.