Michael Ignatieff, a kinsman of Nick Clegg, is in the unusual position of having seen both philosophy and politics from the inside. He had a career as an academic and as a writer and presenter (in British arts broadcasting) before entering politics and going on to become leader of Canada's opposition. He lost heavily in the 2011 Prime Ministerial election.
In a Philosophy Bites podcast interview with Nigel Warburton he discusses the relationship between theory and practice in politics, the moral ambiguities, and the necessity of having dirty hands to be effective.
Interesting because of its source.
ReplyDeleteDepressing because of its content.
The one-time leader of the most successful Liberal party of modern times, albeit not its most successful leader, and a professor of philosophy argues that "political philosophy"; "public policy" and "gaining power" are three separate boxes.