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Moral Development and Political Change

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2011

Richard. W. Wilson
Richard. W. Wilson
Affiliation:
Professor of Political Science at Rutgers University.
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Abstract

Since World War II, a number of advances have been made in theories of revolution and political change. One approach not yet utilized is moral development theory, which adds a normative dimension to existing structural and psychological concepts. In this paper, moral development variables are related to the positive and negative rights that modern men seek within the dominance structures in which they live. Dominance patterns may become perverted due to social change and the amoral behavior of dominant individuals. Political movements characterized by demands for positive or negative rights arise as a reaction to these perversions. Whether change is restorative, accommodative, or transformative depends upon the subsequent patterns of interaction among individuals who are amoral, allegiant, or morally mature.

Type
Research Article
Information
World Politics , Volume 36 , Issue 1 , October 1983 , pp. 53 - 75
Copyright
Copyright © Trustees of Princeton University 1983

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