Richard Vernon (academic)

Richard Vernon is a political theorist specializing in the history of political thought and contemporary liberal theory. He is Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada, where he taught for many years.

Vernon's research interests span a broad range of topics, including classical liberalism, civic republicanism, theories of toleration, nationalism, and the political thought of Adam Smith. He is known for his meticulous scholarship and insightful interpretations of complex political ideas.

His major publications include:

• Toleration (1994) - A comprehensive exploration of the historical development and contemporary relevance of toleration as a political virtue.

• Citizenship and Order: Studies in the Social Philosophy of Democratic Republicanism (1986) - An examination of the relationship between citizenship, social order, and republican political thought.

• Political Morality: A Foucauldian Geneology (2015) - An analysis of the historical construction of political morality through the lens of Michel Foucault's genealogical method.

• Adam Smith: Critical Assessments (editor, 2009) - A multi-volume collection of scholarly essays on the work of Adam Smith.

Vernon has also published numerous articles and book chapters in leading academic journals and edited volumes. His work has contributed significantly to our understanding of the intellectual foundations of liberal democracy and the challenges it faces in the modern world. He is considered a leading scholar in the field of political theory.