A classic collection of writings on political philosophy from leading
thinkers of the late 20th century
Much contemporary political philosophy has been a debate between
utilitarianism on the one hand and Kantian, or rights-based ethics on
the other. However, in recent decades liberalism has faced a growing
challenge from a different direction, from a view that argues for a
deeper understanding of citizenship and community than the liberal ethic
allows.
The writings collected in this volume present leading statements of
rights-based liberalism and of the communitarian, or civic republican
alternatives to that position. With contributions from leading theorists
such as Isaiah Berlin, John Rawls, Alasdair MacIntyre, Liberalism and
Its Critics shifts the focus from the familiar debate between
utilitarians and Kantian liberals to consider a more powerful challenge
to the rights-based ethic--a challenge indebted to Aristotle, Hegel, and
the civic republican tradition.