The New American Social Compact: Rights and Responsibilities in the Twenty-first Century

by Jane A. Grant professor of public and environmental affairs, Indiana University-Purdue Un

Overview

The New American Social Compact examines the need to redefine the social compact in twenty-first-century America. Grant explores the two components of this compact_the rights and obligations of citizenship_as well as what she sees as the four substantive areas that are critical to realizing a new social compact in America. Grant proposes a new social compact that would honor the expansion of civil, political, and social rights in America and would integrate these rights within a new civic procedural ethos, clarifying our obligations to each other, future generations, other nations, and other species.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780739119761
Publisher:	Lexington Books
Publication date:	02/28/2008
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	180
Product dimensions:	6.07(w) x 8.99(h) x 0.61(d)

About the Author

Jane Grant is associate professor in the Division of Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Acknowledgments
Chapter 2 The American Social Compact: Past, Present, and Future Considerations
Chapter 3 Components of the Compact: Social Security, Health Care, and the Meaning of Social Rights
Chapter 4 Lesbian and Gay Equality: The Quest for Civil, Political, and Social Rights
Chapter 5 A Sustainable Environment and Responsible Economy: Obligations to Other Persons, Future Generations, Other Nations, and Other Species
Chapter 6 Co-operation and Global Security: Frameworks and Responsibilities in an Interconnected World
Chapter 7 The New American Social Compact: The Role of Democratic Deliberation, Social and Political Movements, and Ethical and Accountable Leaders

Editorial Reviews

The debate between liberalism and civic republicanism has receded to the background of political theory, but has never been resolved. In this exciting new book, Jane Grant reminds us why that debate once seemed crucial, and why we still need a political theory that can countenance both individual rights and civic responsibilities. Through careful examinations of many of the most pressing social issues of our day, Grant sets the terms for a new debate over the civic ethos of modern democracy.

Robert B. Talisse

Jane Grant takes up the vital issue of our young century: what should be the set of rights and responsibilities that we owe each other as fellow citizens? At a time of heightened worry about challenges both domestic and foreign, Grant intelligently opens up a welcome and overdue discussion.

Jacob S. Hacker

The debate between liberalism and civic republicanism has receded to the background of political theory, but has never been resolved. In this exciting new book, Jane Grant reminds us why that debate once seemed crucial, and why we still need a political theory that can countenance both individual rights and civic responsibilities. Through careful examinations of many of the most pressing social issues of our day, Grant sets the terms for a new debate over the civic ethos of modern democracy.--Robert B. Talisse

Jane Grant takes up the vital issue of our young century: what should be the set of rights and responsibilities that we owe each other as fellow citizens? At a time of heightened worry about challenges both domestic and foreign, Grant intelligently opens up a welcome and overdue discussion.--Jacob S. Hacker, Professor of Political Science. Yale University; co-author of "Winner-Take-All Politics" and "American Amnesia"

From the Publisher