Michael Sandel and Trade Unions

Abstract

To understand fully the significance of Michael Sandel’s contribution to political philosophy, and the particular role of trade unions within that vision, it is vital to understand the liberal public philosophy that Sandel has devoted his professional life to opposing. It was through Sandel’s critical engagement with liberalism that his distinctive civic republican philosophy took shape. This article examines the main tenets of civic republicanism as a public political philosophy, and it explores the implications for reconceiving trade union rights.

Keywords: Michael Sandel, liberal public philosophy, civic republican philosophy, trade union rights, industrial relations