"C.B. Macpherson was the most important and original Canadian political theorist - certainly of his generation, quite possibly ever. Reconsidering C.B. Macpherson is both the definitive defence of Macpherson's project and an original and important intervention into contemporary political theory in its own right." -- James Ingram, Department of Political Science, McMaster University "Hansen has done a splendid job of not only explaining the central ideas in Macpherson's thought and relating them to the work of other significant theorists, but also giving the reader an interpretive key to viewing Macpherson's work as a logical 'whole' by weaving together the interconnecting ideas in three of his major books: Possessive Individualism, Democracy in Alberta, and Democratic Theory." -- Richard Matthews, Department of Political Science, Lehigh University

C.B. Macpherson occupies an ambiguous place in contemporary political thought.  Though his work is well known, it remains on the margins of current democratic theory. That marginalization, Phillip Hansen argues, comes from our failure to appreciate the underlying philosophical dimension of Macpherson’s work.

Identifying and exploring Macpherson’s systematic critique of the liberal claim that the individual is the “proprietor of his own person or capacities, owing nothing to society for them,” Reconsidering C.B. Macpherson highlights his affinities to Herbert Marcuse, Max Horkheimer, and the Frankfurt School.

This stimulating reappraisal illustrates the importance of Macpherson’s classic books, including The Political Theory of Possessive Individualism and Democratic Theory, and demonstrates how much his work has to offer to the future of political and social thought.

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‘The book serves as an excellent introduction for the more sophisticated student of political philosophy who is new to Macpherson… In effect, this book is a series of interesting meditations on Macpherson’s thought arguing for his continued importance.’

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‘Under Hansen’s skillful interpretative guidance, the reader is reintroduced to a thinker who confounds many of the stereotypes of Cold War-era Marxist theory…His remarkable achievement is to bring to life C.B. Macpherson’s thought and enduring legacy, his complex blend of traditional and critical philosophy.’

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‘Magnificent study of C.B. Macpherson’s political thought… Well researched, splendidly written book.’