Peter Breiner's
research interests in political
theory include the areas of democratic
theory, German political and social
theory, and theories of political
judgement. He also writes about
specific political theorists, among
them, Machiavelli, Gramsci, Weber,
and Mannheim. He has published
a book on Max Weber and Democratic
Politics (Cornell University Press
1996). His recent work includes
articles on "Deliberative and
Associative Democracy and the Problem
of Power Struggle;" "Why
a Citizenship-Driven Concept of
Equality Still Makes Sense: In
Defense of the ëOldí Argument," which
defends the continued relevance
of T. H. Marshall's concept
of citizenship against critics;
and "Sociological Prudence and
Political Choice: Weber, Mannheim
and Dynamic Political Theory." He
is also working on a book on the
role examples play in political
theories. The book defends the
claim that many of the most significant
political theories are driven by
certain paradigmatic examples.
At the moment, he is particularly
interested in the ways political
theory might be given a new direction
by deploying political sociology
in support of political theory
arguments.
