In this important collection of essays Dennis Thompson argues for a more robust conception of responsibility in public life than prevails in contemporary democracies. He suggests that we should stop thinking so much about public ethics in terms of individual vices (such as selfishness or sexual misc[...]

To govern in a democracy, political leaders have to compromise. When they do not, the result is political paralysis--dramatically demonstrated by the gridlock in Congress in recent years. In The Spirit of Compromise, eminent political thinkers Amy Gutmann and Dennis Thompson show why compromise is s[...]

"The Colt 1911 Pistol".

Are public officials morally justified in threatening violence, engaging in deception, or forcing citizens to act for their own good? Can individual officials be held morally accountable for the wrongs that governments commit? Dennis Thompson addresses these questions by developing a conception of p[...]

"Via telefon ger han mig en färdbeskrivning till sin vän som är vår värd för kvällen. Sen frågar han:
- Dricker du?
- Självklart.
- Bra. Kan du ta med dig en flaska Bombay Sapphire Gin?"

De är ökända nutidsskildrare och kontroversiella skildrare av depraverade och demoral[...]