%0 Journal Article
%T Review: Jeremy Waldron¡¯s Political Political Theory
%A David Runciman
%J European Journal of Political Theory
%@ 1741-2730
%D 2019
%R 10.1177/1474885116671137
%X This collection seeks to ground political theory in the study of institutions, particularly the constitutional relationship between different branches of government. It makes the case that ¡®constitutionalism¡¯ has become a 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 distinction 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 thought and whether it can deal with the populist strain in contemporary politics
%K Institutions
%K realism
%K constitutionalism
%K history
%K democracy
%U https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1474885116671137