Contemporary Theories of Liberalism: Public Reason as a Post-Enlightenment Project (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780761961383)

The author has provided us with a masterful overview and critique of liberal theorizing of the past quarter-century. While dealing exhaustively and fairly with each of a variety of broadly liberal approaches, Gaus also presents a compelling argument for his own preferred "justificatory" approach. His analyses range across familiar territory - Berlin, Gauthier,

Baier, Habermas, social choice theory, Rawls, and so on - and are always

illuminating and, taken together, provide both the newcomer and the old-hand much to ponder′ - Fred D′Agostino, University of New England, Armidale

[A]ll that man is and all that raises him above animals he owes to his reason′ - Ludwig von Mises

Contemporary Theories of Liberalism provides students with a comprehensive overview of the key tenets of liberalism developed through Hobbes, Locke, Kant and Rawls to present day theories and debates.

Central to recent debate has been the idea of public reason. The text introduces and explores seven dominant theories of public reason, namely, pluralism, Neo-Hobbesianism, pragmatism, deliberative democracy, political democracy, Rawlsian political liberalism and justificatory liberalism.

As a proponent of justificatory liberalism, Gaus presents an accessible and critical analysis of all contempoary liberal political theory and powerfully illustrates the distinct and importsant contribution of justificatory liberalism.

Contemporary Theories of Liberalism is essential reading for students and academics seeking a deeper understanding of liberal political theory today.

Author: Gerald F. Gaus
ISBN-10: 0761961380
ISBN-13: 9780761961383
Publisher: Sage Publications Ltd
Language: English
Published: 04/10/2003
Pages: 240
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.17lbs
Size: 9.36h x 6.42w x 0.80d