Will Kymlicka

This book can be summarized quite quickly: the authors argue that justice for animals should be conceived politically. Political animal rights would mean citizenship for domesticated animals, sovereignty for wild animals, and denizenship for liminal animals who live among humans without being domesticated. Much of the book is focused on defining these three animal groups, but the authors also illuminate their threefold categorization by drawing parallels to disabled people, sovereign countries, and denizens such as economic migrants and the Amish.

Clearly this is a trailblazing book with some truly novel ideas. As such, it is understandable that the arguments are broad and probing, but not particularly detailed or complex. The authors focus on presenting, as clearly as possible, a framework for others to build on. This is a good decision, since a more detailed mapping of political animal rights would probably have reduced the prospective readership of this book significantly.

As it stands, this book is a great starting point for conceiving animal rights, and animals themselves, in a new light. The authors recognize that political theory won’t improve the miserable position of most animals in contemporary society, but setting a preliminary political agenda for a future society which involves both humans and animals could still be an important achievement some day.… (more)

The author starts by explaining why equality and ethics are the key parts of modern political philosophy. He then presents utilitarianism as the historical source and counterpoint of most modern political philosophy. Then he proceeds to actual modern theories such as liberalism, libertarianism, marxism, communitarianism etc. with well-balanced and seemingly fair assessments. This book should suit beginners perfectly and more advanced practitioners can also spend some time re-reading it. I don't know any other overview of contemporary political philosophy which would match it in depth and clarity.… (more)