Edward Hall, Value, Conflict, and Order: Berlin, Hampshire, Williams, and the Realist Revival in Political Theory

Edward Hall's 'Value, Conflict, and Order' is a significant contribution to the realist revival in political theory, critiquing the excessive idealism of moralists like John Rawls and Ronald Dworkin. Hall argues that politics has its own morality, distinct from abstract ethical values, and emphasizes the importance of order, security, power, and legitimation. He examines the works of Isaiah Berlin, Stuart Hampshire, and Bernard Williams, collectively known as the 'Oxford pessimists,' to illustrate realist themes. Hall's moderate realism emphasizes the need to start from the context of an existing political community, rather than applying abstract principles. The book offers a constructive account of political theory, highlighting the importance of contextual judgment and the limits of philosophy in politics. However, Hall's central attempt to link value pluralism with realism is critiqued for its uneven application and potential conflicts with realist principles.