Metaphysics, Method and Politics : The Political Philosophy of R. G. Collingwood

This book argues that R.G. Collingwood developed a completeand coherent political philosophy of civilization. In making this caseit also demonstrates that Collingwood's philosophical work comprises aunity in which, although there was development, there is no fundamentaldiscontinuity between his earlier and later writings. A philosophy ofcivilization must situate its subject matter within the full context ofhuman experience and therefore Collingwood's political philosophy ofcivilization must be situated within the context of his wholephilosophy. The book presents the case that Collingwood developed acoherent philosophy of politics and civilization, that this had itsroots in both the early and the later work; and that his overallphilosophical approach comprises a generally consistent and integratedwhole.

James Connelly is currently Professor of Political Thought and Head of the School of Human Sciences and Communication at Southampton Institute.