Political Liberalism (Columbia Classics in Philosophy)

John Rawls is an extraordinary modern political philosopher. "Political Liberalism" is book that lays out Rawls theory of the "Reasonable Society". In what can best be described as great novel like prose, Rawls lays out his formula for getting Homo Sapiens to a Reasonable Society. A Reasonable Society is contrasted by Rawls to that of a Rational Society. While on the surface these two concepts appear to be indistinguishable, they are in fact a good deal different. A Rational Society is one that is predicated upon logic as its defining concept. A Reasonable Society on the other hand goes beyond this narrower concept of society and adds the idea of man posing a kind of morality in addition to his rational pre-disposition. Rawls theory as presented in Political Liberalism" is well written and tightly argued in the best tradition of both modern and ancient philosophers. With "Political Liberalism" Rawls take the theories of some our greatest political philosophers and makes a significant contribution to extending their work. This book is so well written, it can be read and enjoyed by just about anyone. If you ever wondered why or democratic institutions no longer seem to work, where the politics of conflict seem the only realty, when you want to know what makes this country so unique and which holds such promise for the rest of the world, you will see these concepts in a engaging read. Highly recommend.

Here, Rawls tries to improve his argument of "justice as fairness" in "A Theory of Justice" posing it as actually a (one of the most) valid perspective under a political liberalism, in order to ensure equal rights and freedom in a democratic constitutional cooperative society. I would recommend that the first-time interested reader to get a glimpse at "A Theory of justice" (at least the first part) before this one, for a better understanding of his root ideas; for even though it covers most of the TJ's concepts, it does in a form of "restatement" to forfeit the adaptation of his theory due to the flaws he noticed in the first book. But even for the first time reader, it might seem somewhat easy to understand basically what he is trying to say. One of the greatest books of one of the greatest thinkers, not to say philosophers or politicians of our time. A must-have for anyone regarding subjects from law and democracy to morals and philosophy in general.

Rawls has finally brought his powerful project of sociological and political philosophy to a conclusion with insights he may not have expected when he first published Political Liberalism in 1993. The inclusion of his 'Reply to Habermas', after my having also read Habermas' critique, helped him and specially me to understand the issues raised in that exchange and to enjoy following them. The inclusion also of 'The Idea of Public Reason Revisited' is very worthwhile, as it maps out the amendments he had started to make to Political Liberalism that had been cut short by his death.

Otherwise difficult and expensive item to purchase and have delivered. Good condition, competitive price ( no postage fee) and quick delivery

The high value of public reason and overlapping consensus should have been pursued better in the 2020 US Presidential Election disputes. John Rawls' proteges, disciples, students, and advocates could argue that public reason benefits from clear and reliable voting standards, and that these do not disadvantage the poor. Public reason should support live in-person voting with paper ballots marked with ink, and if the Rawls' detailed framework for political liberalism cannot support this and help with fair elections and transition of power this is a concern. A main position of this book is that "Each person has an equal claim to a fully adequate scheme of equal basic rights and liberties, which scheme is compatible with the same scheme for all" (p. 5). Since liberty takes priority over equality, the idea of mail-in vote supporters that this makes voting more equal would not be supported. A voting scheme or law that can remove voting power from even a small percent of legitimate voters because other people may cast invalid votes and get these counted through the vote by mail process, that law promoting equality over individual liberty and that make voting easier (more equal) is not putting liberty first. The fact that voting takes more time for some than others (ex. some people don't have cars) is not a reason to equalize this economic disadvantage, aim for more equality, to the detriment of each citizen's Constitutional right to vote, the most valuable liberty. Likewise, vote by mail impairs equality of opportunity (Rawls supports "positions and offices open to all under condition of fair equality of opportunity"). The US needs more overlapping consensus. This would be visible in an increasing number of so-called centrist politicians who can readily form majorities in Congress. In addition, overlapping consensus and liberty form positive feedback loops, whereas an emphasis on equality over liberty leads to declines in public reason and consensus.

This expanded version of Political Liberalism is fantastic. Particularly the closing essay rounds Rawls ideas extremely well and paves the way for better understanding the contested world in which we live in today.

This book is indispensable for understanding contemporary political philosophy. It doesn't replace A THEORY OF JUSTICE for understanding Rawl's theory of justice (but it wasn't meant to), but it is key to understanding the debate between, for example, Rawls (and political liberalism in general) and perfectionism. This book also includes many of Rawls's answers to criticism of his theory as presented in A THEORY OF JUSTICE.

still havnt finished it, great book, using a veil of ignorance is the craziest anti psychopathic thing ever, wish i could see it used more often

Great for philosophy, politics, law students. This is considered a primary (must-read) text in many disciplines and, although repetitive at times, is fairly accessible and not difficult to get through. Rawls had a big vision.