Liberalism and Its Discontents [Paperback]

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.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