Recognition in Politics ─ Theory, Policy and Practice

This collection of 14 papers combines philosophical and social science understandings on the broad issue of political recognition. A first set of contributions theorize the question of recognition in politics, addressing such topics as "Keynesian-Westphalian" representations of nation states as a gerrymandering of political space, links between political recognition claims and justice claims, attempts to resolve the views on political recognition of Axel Honneth and Nancy Fraser, and Australian indigenous claims of recognition and their connection to universal conceptions of justice. A second set of papers discuss multiculturalism and recognition, while a final group examines particular issues of social policy, including constructions of the "drug using welfare client" in Australian drug policy and construction of welfare services as a means of overcoming humiliation and disrespect by disadvantaged parents. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)