Peter Winch (1926–1997) was one of the most important philosophers of his generation. Although best known for his work in social science and the interpretation of Ludwig Wittgenstein, he had a long-standing interest in ethics and political philosophy and was writing a book on political philosophy at the time of his death. This volume collects together Winch’s previously unpublished manuscripts on political philosophy, alongside an editorial introduction which outlines the development of his thought over the course of his life. It demonstrates the originality and enduring relevance of Winch's philosophical work to perennial issues concerning the nature and justification of political authority.

“Peter Winch is a seminal figure in twentieth-century British, and especially Wittgensteinian, philosophy. The publi-cation of this edition of Winch’s previously unpublished writings on political theory represents a very welcome, and important, addition to contemporary scholarship that provides new insight into a range of key issues relating to power, authority, and the state, whilst also offering new access to Winch’s thought and to the Wittgensteinian framework out of which it arose.” —Jeff Malpas, University of Tasmania, Australia.

“Peter Winch was certainly one of the important philosophers of the twentieth century. These previously unpublished or hard-to-find texts testify to his life-long engagement with political philosophy. They are also essential for under-standing his other work. This collection highlights the intimate connection between social thought and the status of logic and language as aspects of social life. It gives political philosophy a new lease of life, not by advocating a political position, but by focusing on the fundamental question of how politics is possible.” —Olli Lagerspetz, Åbo Akademi Uni-versity, Finland.

“Peter Winch was working on a book on political philosophy at his death in 1997. This work contributes substantially to our grasp of Winch’s thought, not just concerning politics but concerning core issues of philosophy. The volume would have a triple use. First, it serves as a helpful introduction to philosophy, second, it offers deep and original contributions to philo-sophical debate on issues of political philosophy, and third, through its chronological structure, it offers scholars a way of tracing and analysing the development of Winch’s thought.” —Lars Hertzberg, Åbo Akademi University, Finland.

Peter Winch (1926–1997) was Professor of Philosophy at King’s College London and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Lynette Reid is Associate Professor in the Department of Bioethics at Dalhousie University.

Michael Campbell is Assistant Professor in the Department of Ethics at Kyoto University.