The Blackwell Guide to Social and Political Philosophy brings together a collection of newly commissioned essays which examine fundamental issues in social and political theory. Written by leading social and political philosophers, each essay provides a history of the issue at hand and a judicious assessment of the main arguments that have been brought to bear upon that issue.The collection deals with traditional topics in social and political philosophy, such as liberty, authority, justice, and equality as well as with issues raised by diversity and pluralism within the democratic state. The contributors offer a sustained dialogue on the merits of liberal political theory and on the views of some of its critics. Each essay begins with an accessible introduction but develops into a philosophically acute evaluation of the issue in question.The compilation is ideal as a self-standing text for an introductory or intermediate course in social and political philosophy.