Liberalism and Its Discontents

by Patrick Neal

Overview

In these essays the reigning models of liberal political theory of John Rawls and Joseph Raz are immanently criticized. Neal argues that neither 'political' nor 'perfectionist' liberalism adequately gives expression to the liberal spirit. Surprisingly, Neal finds resources for the expression of such a spirit in the much maligned tradition of Hobbesian, or 'vulgar', liberalism. He argues that a turn in this direction is necessary for the articulation of a liberalism more genuinely responsive to the diversity of modes of life in the twenty-first century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781349143641
Publisher:	Palgrave Macmillan UK
Publication date:	01/01/1997
Edition description:	1st ed. 1997
Pages:	209
Product dimensions:	5.51(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Patrick Neal is Associate Professor of Political Science at the University of Vermont.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements - PART 1: NEUTRALITY AND THE GOOD IN LIBERAL THEORY - Introduction - Liberalism and Neutrality - A Liberal Theory of the Good? - PART 2: RAWLS AND POLITICAL LIBERALISM - In the Shadow of the General Will: Rawls, Kant and Rousseau on the Problem of Political Right - Justice as Fairness: Political or Metaphysical? - Does He Mean What He Says? (Mis)Understanding Rawls' Practical Turn - PART 3: ALTERNATIVE LIBERALISMS - Perfectionism With A Liberal Face? Nervous Liberals and Raz's Political Theory - Dworkin on the Foundations of Liberal Equality - Vulgar Liberalism - Index

What People are Saying About This

Michael Harvey

Neal does a fine job of showing the flaws in leading academic theories and accounts of liberalism. He shows the amazing vigor of Thomas Hobbes's ideas, now more than three centuries old and still in many ways the clearest and best expression of the liberal order. And he provides a salutary cold shower for those grand dreamers among us who want liberalism not only to order our lives, but also to inspire, to shape, to teach us: 'A liberal order cannot even nearly fulfill the longings of the heart and soul which move us.'
—Michael Harvey, H-Net

From the Publisher

"An illuminating examination of contemporary liberalism."

-Times Literary Supplement,

"Neal does a fine job of showing the flaws in leading academic theories and accounts of liberalism. He shows the amazing vigor of Thomas Hobbes's ideas, now more than three centuries old and still in many ways the clearest and best expression of the liberal order. And he provides a salutary cold shower for those grand dreamers among us who want liberalism not only to order our lives, but also to inspire, to shape, to teach us: 'A liberal order cannot even nearly fulfill the longings of the heart and soul which move us.'"

-Michael Harvey,H-Net

Editorial Reviews

Analyzes contemporary views on such questions as whether the state should be neutral to the moral practices of its citizens, whether states can create a liberal character in said citizens, and whether liberal ideals comprise a point of consensus in a diverse society. Argues that modern theorists fail to express the fullness of liberality, and that a return to the vulgar traditions of Hobbes is necessary. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Booknews

An illuminating examination of contemporary liberalism.

Times Literary Supplement

"Neal does a fine job of showing the flaws in leading academic theories and accounts of liberalism. He shows the amazing vigor of Thomas Hobbes's ideas, now more than three centuries old and still in many ways the clearest and best expression of the liberal order. And he provides a salutary cold shower for those grand dreamers among us who want liberalism not only to order our lives, but also to inspire, to shape, to teach us: 'A liberal order cannot even nearly fulfill the longings of the heart and soul which move us.'"

H-Net - Michael Harvey

"Neal does a fine job of showing the flaws in leading academic theories and accounts of liberalism. He shows the amazing vigor of Thomas Hobbes's ideas, now more than three centuries old and still in many ways the clearest and best expression of the liberal order. And he provides a salutary cold shower for those grand dreamers among us who want liberalism not only to order our lives, but also to inspire, to shape, to teach us: 'A liberal order cannot even nearly fulfill the longings of the heart and soul which move us.'"

-Michael Harvey,H-Net

"An illuminating examination of contemporary liberalism."

-Times Literary Supplement

From the Publisher