Philip Pettit, "The State" (Princeton UP, 2023)

This is an interview with Philip Pettit, professor of human values at Princeton University and professor of philosophy at the Australian National University, about his new book, "The State." Pettit discusses his background and how his previous work in neorepublicanism and the concept of freedom as non-domination led to this book, which represents a slight shift in his philosophical approach. He explains the motivations behind writing the book, focusing on the state as a group agent and the importance of understanding its potential and limitations as a means to achieve social and political justice. Pettit also differentiates his views from other political philosophers like Hobbes, particularly on the need for checks and balances within a functional state, and contrasts the American presidential democracy with the Westminster-style parliamentary democracy, using Australia as an example.