Liberal pluralism : the implications of value pluralism for political theory and practice /

Can a nation where individuals hold unique moral and political values form a viable democracy? Yes, according to the author of this brief, thought-provoking book. Galston (Univ. of Maryland) argues against current mainstream, liberal political theories such as those of John Rawls in contending that it is possible to create a political system grounded in individual value differences, while locating them in a political philosophy connected to a broader set of moral theories about right and wrong. Drawing on claims that liberalism is rooted in negative liberty, the book constructs a theory of democracy premised on the belief that the state must respect expressive liberty, or the right of individuals to live their lives without government interference. Governments are therefore limited in their activity to what is necessary to promote and protect the ability of individuals to lead their lives and interact with one another. The book concludes with several chapters exploring the implications of these claims for contemporary politics, including how parents may educate their children and the role of the state in determining the distribution of civic or material goods in society. Complements collections on moral and political philosophy. Recommended for upper-division undergraduates and above. D. Schultz Hamline University