Continuity politics and public order

Abstract

The thesis begins by enquiring into relationship between politics and public order in a world of change 9Introduction: ‘Politics, Public Order and Time’). The view is put forward that political activity crucial in maintaining an order which enables men to coordinate their activities. The concept of order is then examined and the way in which change is significant in the establishment of individual identity in a shared public world is explored (Chapter 1: ‘Order, Change and identity’). The thesis then moves to a consideration of what it means to be a member of such a place order and of a civil society in particular (Chapter 2: ‘Membership and Citizenship’). Being a member I seen as accepting certain rights and duties are specified in civil society and the obligations which they impose of then examined (Chapter 3: ‘Law and Obligation’). In the following chapter the character of authority an the role it plays in establishing and enforcing the conditions of membership in civil society are then considered (Chapter 5: ‘Political institutions and Organisations’). When these conditions are not readily complies with, coercion may be necessary, and its role in maintenance of public order is examined (chapter 6: ‘Coercion, Violence and Public Order’). The debate which preceded that passage of any law creating obligation is the concern of the following chapter (Chapter 7: ‘political Talk’), and the thesis moves on to an examination of how such debate is brought to a close (Chapter 8: ‘Political Conventions’). These district aspect of political activity taken together constitute over time a characteristic way of going about politics which has a prescriptive force (Chapter 9: ‘tradition’). Finally, the successful maintenance of a relatively continuous public order is seen to lie in the possibilities it upholds for freedom (Chapter 10: 'Freedom and Order').